This is a good thing www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/content/news...

Your annual reminder that it's pronounced "Sinjin" Passion.

[reading a book in first person] i dont remember doing any of this

Recently wrote about some Lenten music by a Portuguese composer called Melgás, and discovered that in his own language melgas translates as 'mosquitoes' or 'annoyances'. Just imagine introducing yourself: 'hi, I'm Jeff Mosquitoes', what a way to start a conversation. (He wrote beautiful music, too)

A 'butter lamb' is a traditional Polish/Slovenian/Ukrainian Easter offering. At the start of Lent milk is used up by making butter and moulding it into a symbol of Spring. Info & credits: www.foodandwine.com/news/easter-... buffalobutterlambs.com www.comfycook.com/2011/04/east...

My notes are in this snazzy online programme: issuu.com/orchestraenl...

Just after they launch a moon rocket? 🧐

This week @artukdotorg #OnlineArtExchange is looking at music for 'A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music' at the Foundling Museum @foundlingmuseum 1932–33 (musical instruments) by Ben Nicholson (1894–1982) can be seen at Kettle's Yard, University of Cambridge

‘I threw myself in at the deep end!’ From studying at the RCM, to juggling parenthood and further study, to walking the red carpet, Alexandra Harwood’s inspiring career as a screen and ballet composer is testament to her skill and determination. Meet Alex in #RCMUpbeat: bit.ly/AlexHarwood #acgas

Bought some stamps today if you want to know why I've filed for bankruptcy

It's not Larkin's birthday today - what an April Fool it would be to claim it is!!! - but I may as well share this again in any case, I loved writing these

The complete Britten On Film is available on Youtube here.

Sad to see this. My first teapot was a Denby. They’ve been going for over 200 years and employ 500+ people. They’ve launched a #SaveDenby campaign if you want to support or share. www.denbypottery.com/pages/save-d...

Some exciting news: www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-ha...

‘Sing for the love of singing itself!’ Countertenor and RCM alumnus Hugh Cutting on how the Royal College of Music changed his worldview, why competitions aren't everything, and the sheer joy of singing. Find out more in the latest edition of Upbeat magazine: bit.ly/HughCutting

I have a couple of comps for this evening's OAE John Passion at the Southbank at 7pm, any takers? I can't make it unfortunately but it's sure to be brilliant. Drop me a DM if you'd like one or both tickets

Might be the greatest opening paragraph of anything ever.

Welcome Spring with a brand-new edition of Upbeat magazine! ✨ bit.ly/UpbeatSpring26 On the theme of Stage & Screen, this issue features interviews with three stellar RCM alumni: screen composer Alexandra Harwood, countertenor Hugh Cutting, and pianist @cyrillibrahim.bsky.social

Just remembered my notes are being used for this afternoon's @philharmonialondon.bsky.social concert: Bacewicz, Tchaikovsky and Walton (under 'programme notes', as you'd expect) philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/max...

There's a dog on this train with whom I already felt a sense of kinship, and then I noticed her Cartland pink harness bears the brand logo 'Wyld Cub' and there it is, friends for life

Well, that was quite something…

Mahler was dead: to begin with

Excited for this. Click under 'programme notes' to read some of my thoughts on Hildegard of Bingen and Gustav of Bohemia

Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens is now open! 🌸 Visitors can immerse themselves in Kew’s world-renowned magnolia and cherry blossom collections whilst hearing evocative soundscapes written by RCM composers. Find out more: bit.ly/rcm-kew-2026 📸: RBG, Kew @rbgkew.bsky.social

I've been sent this review of Danny Driver's recent Cambridge Music Festival recital, which includes a mention of my notes and, even better, Ligeti's 'melancholic pigeon'. Sounds like it was a brilliant performance seenandheard-international.com/2026/03/dann...

Get in losers we’re going to Reading to see the Sumer Is Icumen In manuscript www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

If you’re knocking about in London Sunday afternoon and fancy climbing a mountain, do come to this. An open rehearsal of Strauss’ Alpine Symphony, one of the more extravagant and glorious pieces of orchestral music ever written. Free entry. 5.45 start. www.rehearsal-orchestra.org/courses/stra...

Happy Mothers Day. My mum really loved the Supremes. Been listening to them a lot lately. Please tell me something your mum loved or loves

great scene!

The belt ascending !

None higher-waisted than RVW.

Post a great photo of a musician

It was the end of a long day at the near end of a long week… and that’s my excuse for being briefly mesmerised by a squeaking (abandoned) pub sign - The Gate…squeaking. It’s nearly a form of Onomatopoeia, a painted object finding a sound which mimics the well known sound of the object painted.

The moment Kubrick knew he'd reached cultural immortality: when Midsomer Murders paid tribute to 2001: A Space Odyssey

Been hanging out with a Mozart manuscript again lads

Only musician I know who invented still-in-use typefaces is Hans Reichel (who also invented the Daxophone).

Lots of outlandish stories here, but the one that's really intrigued me, slipped in almost in passing, unchallenged, is the claim that he invented 'a couple of typefaces'... I really need to know more, is this true? Are they still in use?

museum curators describing literally any portrait of a woman: she boldly meets the viewer's eye, confronting our gaze

Finished Amadeus & thought about it & Wolfie - Kermit Stanzi - Piggy Salieri - controversial, but: piano, sidelined original Main Guy - Rowlf Leopold - Sam Eagle Emperor - Fozzie Simon Callow - Gonzo Cynthia Nixon - Janice

I'd like to see a bittern on banknotes, maybe then the economy will boom... yeah...? anybody...?

Time is nearly up to have your say over the future of the BBC! The consultation closes today, Tuesday 10th March, 23.59. Link below 👇🏽

I joked about the nicheness of writing about Bach for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment the other day, but honestly it's one of the things I feel luckiest to do. Here's their latest blog with some of my notes on the St John Passion ahead of their concert on 29 March oae.co.uk/bachs-soulfu...

I love to google 'Mahler Hammer'

I will never not find this photo of Penderecki funny, he looks like an astonished owl

Intriguing. Orms did the retrofit of Camden Town Hall into the Standard, which is great and everyone likes, and the Outernet, which looks like a packet of John Player Superkings. www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/exclusi...

The latest transcript I'm working on has written 'countertenor' as 'camp centre' and 'opera' as 'Oprah' and I think it's just trolling now

The magpies are using bristles from the broom I keep for sweeping leaves to build their nest. They swoop down and gather a beakful and fly off again. I could hide it from them, but I don't have the heart, I think I'd rather have a threadbare broom knowing they've got a healthy nest