voxturturis

Hilda Collens 1883-1956 and the founding of the Northern School of Music

March 14, 2024

Introduction and preface (2024) Hilda Collens 1883-1956 This extended essay was originally written at the behest of the Ida Carroll Trust for publication in 2020 to coincide with the centenary of the founding of the Northern School of Music, Manchester. An edited version was printed in the learned journal “Manchester Sounds” in 2020 and in … More Hilda Collens 1883-1956 and the founding of the Northern School of Music

Disconnected by Wireless

January 18, 2024

Oddly enough, I remember my mother telling us (as children) about what she used to listen to on the pre-war BBC radio. She called it “the wireless” and sometimes, so do I too still. But as she was a chronic depressive, life was odd with mother. Of course, when we were children, we didn’t know … More Disconnected by Wireless

Enigmatically Awoke

July 5, 2023

Enigmatically awoke Last night and in my dream I visited once again the Co-operative stores on Mount Road. I did so after having visited all the shops around that circus there. I saw Mildred’s again; and the Newsagent’s shop; Mrs Doyle’s and Mrs Cowap’s. I smelt the paraffin oil from Mr and Mrs Hall’s chimney. … More Enigmatically Awoke

Mathematical Problems

May 6, 2023

Mathematical Problems Arithmetic is often not problematic. Children and adults can mostly manipulate numbers arithmetically. (There is a condition called innumeracy which is recognised). But arithmetic is only one branch of Mathematics. To be good at arithmetic is one thing; to transfer that ability to the study of Mathematics, is another thing – a different … More Mathematical Problems

The Day When

March 12, 2023

Yes. The Day When… Do you remember “the day when…?” It is a common enough day. Most people remember at least one. But sometimes it can be difficult. Especially if the person you shared “the day when…” with is not present. More experience brings such a choice of “…days when…” Including all the funny days; … More The Day When

“My Music”

December 14, 2022

An email today told me of the banning of some of the music of Tchaikovsky in a certain place. Looking on the internet shows no sympathy for this. On the contrary:- the decision is ridiculed and called out as being “not the way” and hardly appropriate. I am not going to be positive about any … More “My Music”

A Day’s Round (again)

November 25, 2022

I, Ronnie Follows, say: It’s today and I am NOT going to say it. I am not joining in. It isn’t an appropriate name (hereabouts). I grant you that it may have some value as a Named Day elsewhere, but here, it is meaningless. It started to be used a few years ago. It was … More A Day’s Round (again)

Soap and Flannel – Part 1

November 9, 2022

It’s just down to the last bit now. There isn’t much of it left. It’s gone that way – that way when there’s a grey line down the length of it and the bar gone almost sliver flat – two dimensional almost. There isn’t much of it left at all now. I could make jelly … More Soap and Flannel – Part 1

Henrietta Kamern – Musician, pianist, organist 1905-1972 – a few details from a busy life

October 27, 2022

About Henrietta Kamern – a pioneer Theater Organist in America. It was not good to read that this lady was not well documented. She has a whole bunch of recordings held in the DAHR – The Discography of American Historical Recordings, in the University of California, Santa Barbara. Here is some more detail for Henrietta … More Henrietta Kamern – Musician, pianist, organist 1905-1972 – a few details from a busy life

Walk With Me

September 7, 2022

Will you walk with me? Maybe if you will then I can. And where will we go? Perhaps we might explore.Or perhaps just walk this lane.This road.This street. Are you going with me?Maybe we will talk.Or barely touching hands just listen to footsteps.The water.The crops cracking in the sun. Here we might pass the skew … More Walk With Me

Mainly biographical but not always