Soundbites
Vegan strings
The first ever 100 per cent certified vegan violin has been unveiled by a violin-maker in Ireland. Padraig O’dubhlaoidh says that he spent the pandemic developing an instrument that is made without animal glue, an adaptation that, he adds, not only makes it a more ethical option but is also good for the the instrument itself. ‘Animal glues have harmful effects on violins,’ he explains, ‘inducing powerful tensions in wooden components.’
Royal viol
Jordi Savall, the eminent Spanish viol player, conductor and period instrument pioneer, has been made an honorary member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. Savall, who accepted the honour during a concert at Wigmore Hall, is in very prestigious company – beginning with Weber in
1826, other honorary members include Mendelssohn, Verdi, Clara Schumann, Yehudi Menuhin and Janet Baker.
Norwegian moves
Maybe one day Edward Gardner will also be an RPS honorary member? In the meantime, the in-demand English conductor has his eyes set on Oslo where, it has been announced, he will become music director of Norwegian Opera and Ballet in 2024. Gardner already has strong credentials in the Scandinavian country, as he has been principal conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra since 2015.
Coastal visit
The BBC Concert Orchestra, meanwhile, is heading for the seaside. The ensemble has announced a three-year residency in Great Yarmouth which, as well as giving regular concerts in the Norfolk town, will also mean working with local schools, collaborating with composers and producers and giving pop-up performances in public spaces.