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Write to: The editor, BBC Music Magazine, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: music@classical-music.com Social media: contact us on Facebook and Twitter
Rutter delight
Last Thursday I took with me your February edition to keep me company during my first Covid vaccination experience – I am 91. All went well, and during our last 15 minutes’ rest I called out to a passing nurse when I saw the mention of John Rutter’s commission to write in praise of the Oxford scientists (Déja Vu). I am happy to say that she did know of him. Long ago, I had him as a TV tutor, long curls and all, at the Open University. The only missing link was that on Thursday ours was the Pfizer, not the Oxford, vaccine!
Anne Mills, Tonbridge
The editor replies:
You may be interested in our news story on p17 this month!
Not the first
With apologies to readers, in my Building a Library article on Schumann’s Frauenliebe und -leben in the February issue, I stated that the cycle’s premiere took place in 1862. In fact, it was in 1849 in Leipzig – Dr Thomas Synofzik, director of the Schumann-haus in Zwickau, is publishing more research on this later this year. However, this 1862 performance was a historically important one, featuring Clara Schumann and the pioneering baritone Julius Stockhausen. Natasha Loges, London
The editor replies:
We look forward to hearing more about Dr Synofzik’s research. In the same feature, the picture on p67 captioned as Clara Schumann was, in fact, Fanny Mendelssohn. We apologise for this error.
Beer and quavers
Richard Morrison wrote of his introduction to Stravinsky’s music (February issue), when his enthusiastic music teacher invited him and a few of his classmates round to his house to listen to a collection of LPS sustained by crisps and Watney’s Red Barrel. A wonderful memory of a special occasion which obviously fuelled his love of music and possibly put him off beer for life, but do today’s 16 year-olds have the opportunity to enjoy a similar, memorable experience? I think not.
Rod Chisholm, Wormit
The glories of G&S
Daniel Jaffé triggered my ‘unmodified rapture’ with his delightful essay on Gilbert and Sullivan (see also Letter of the Month, left). I was six years old when my parents, grandfather and aunt hauled me off to rehearsals, set constructions and performances of G&S operettas at the Rose Valley Chorus in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Every May there was a new operetta for me to absorb and I was thrilled with every one of them. G&S creates an intense devotion to those of us who are bitten by the magic. As a result, I love live theatre in
all its forms and am captured by classical music. Gilbert and Sullivan is everywhere in the US. Once on a trip to London, I stood outside the Savoy Theatre and momentarily felt that I was on hallowed ground! Ted Spickler, Delaware, US
The Price is right
What a pleasant way to while away a few enforced lockdown hours by listening to Donald Macleod’s erudite programmes on American composers Florence Price and Amy Beach on Radio 3’s Composer of the Week. Although I knew of the names, I can’t say that I was familiar with the music of either composer – until Symphony No. 3 (Florence Price) arrived with the November issue of BBC Music Magazine. With Donald Macleod we progressed through both these composers’ domestic and musical lives and established the influences on their styles and output. As with most new pieces, repeated listening is the key to further understanding. I have subsequently added Price’s Symphonies Nos 1 and 4 to my collection, and Beach’s ‘Gaelic’ Symphony and her Piano Concerto are on their way.
I’m always happy to pass on my musical discoveries. Alan Caunce, Fishguard The editor replies: If you don’t manage to hear Composer of the Week at the time of broadcast, you can catch up on this valuable resource at bbc.co.uk/sounds
Artfully done
As an ageing contralto, for many years I have really enjoyed the breadth of coverage and frankness of BBC Music Magazine. For some time, I’ve wanted to write and say that I so appreciate the illustrations of Maria Corte Maidagan within Tom Service’s monthly Listening Service article. I’ve searched her website, but the music-based artwork is not there. Please consider producing a book of her musical artwork – many of my music friends and colleagues appreciate her work and yet it seems to go unsung ! Diana Hoy, via email The editor replies:
We are very proud of our team of regular illustrators on BBC Music Magazine – not just Maria Corte Maidagan, but Jonty Clark (The Full Score) and Matt Herring (Composer of the Month) too.