As much as it is practically impossible to write a fair appreciation of one’s teachers, it might be worth trying. Sadly, this often means that to some extent, the writer becomes the central figure at least in the introduction. Maybe this is why so few people do it. Most of my teachers are now dead … More James Clifford Brown – Musician Composer Teacher – A Memoir
Violet’s Live Performances – A Partial List 1942 to 1951 From the first appearance of Violet Carson in “Songs That Father Sang” in 1937, Violet Carson worked with “The Colunio Singers”. This group appears to have been based in Colne, Lancashire (not the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir based near Huddersfield in the West Riding). … More Violet Carson – Pianist, Singer, Musician 1898-1983 Part 4 of 4 – War Work; Broadcasts and CEMA Concerts; Post War Music
Some Reviews and Live Performances and Concerts by Violet Carson ================================ Lancashire Evening Post – Saturday 26 November 1938 Lancaster’s New Ballroom – More that 200 people attended a dinner dance at the King’s Arms Hotel, Lancaster, last night, organised by the management (Mr an Mrs Alexander MacAskill) to introduce to the public the new … More Violet Carson – Pianist, Singer, Musician 1898-1983 – Part 3 of 4 – Reviews of Concerts
Ladies and Gentlemen; We invite you to “Have A Go” Late in 1946 a new programme commenced on the BBC called “Have A Go.” It was the first broadcast quiz show to offer cash prizes. As opposed to being in a central studio, this time it was in local and sometimes quite unusual venues up … More Violet Carson – Pianist, Singer, Musician 1898-1983 – Part 2 of 4 – Have a Go!
Violet Carson. A musical phenomenon. Let us remember her too. We often read that she “sang” and that she “played the piano”. But what sort of singer was she? What sort of pianist was she? (For personalities and artistes mentioned below, please navigate to the bottom of the page) Anybody aged 60 in 2017 will … More Violet Carson – Pianist, Singer, Musician 1898-1983 – Part 1 of 4 – Introduction; Styles and Earlier BBC Broadcasting
Introduction Richard Runciman Terry (1864-1938) is something of an enigma. He is variously described in many articles as a musicologist, organist, scholar and editor. In fact, the case for making these assertions appears to be overstated and the exact nature of some of his contributions to historical musical practice is under-investigated. Nevertheless, Terry remains a … More Thoughts about Richard Runciman Terry (1864-1938) Musician, Composer
After writing about Llandudno’s erstwhile Arcadia Theatre, I was struck by how difficult it is to recapture the atmosphere of the place and the times. Now it is time to try a little harder. We cannot hope to regain the feeling and sights of our favourite watering places now. They have all changed beyond recognition. … More More About The Arcadia Llandudno
Herbert Oliver – Biography of Composer, Pianist, Conductor, Teacher For a photograph, click here. (Opens in a new window) A True London Composer And what a pleasure it was to discover the life of Herbert Oliver. This biographical sketch has taken a good many years. Herbert Oliver is almost forgotten these days and that is … More Herbert Oliver Biography – Composer Pianist Accompanist Conductor Teacher
A composition from a station platform… Tydi a roddaist by Arwel Hughes (scroll down for my translation) A while ago, I wrote about a fantasy journey I made with the help of my trusty 1922 Bradshaw Railway Timetable. I went to Wales because I spent a lot of time there in my formative years; went … More Tydi a roddaist – a translation
A while ago, I wrote about Llandudno and her Grand Theatre. What a wonderful place that was and how it captured the delight – and sombreness – of Novello’s “The Dancing Years” back in about 1965. Not one microphone either. A true theatrical experience. I thought to look for some kind reference to the near-neighbour … More Arcadia Theatre Llandudno – a Memory
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