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A Rachmaninov Concert in Brentford tomorrow!  Blimey!

Brentford is full of surprises!And now dear Rackers being played at a concert at the Musical Museum Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm All tickets £8."Mr Rachmaninoff Plays for You" is the title of the treat...the first of a new series of concerts featuring the pianola and Ampico (whatever that is)So pull yourself away from the tele....http://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/index.shtml

Jim Lawes ● 5286d16 Comments

Well said Doris. You may find a reference to Miss Seaton on Friends Reunited (Chiswick GS /Teachers). There are Seaton's around in Chiswick still.Here's part of Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony which many will recognise.

Jim Lawes ● 5271d

Just click the arrow... and, like me, get on with the domestics!

Jim Lawes ● 5279d

Yes Jim very lovely music thank you for that. The young man playing the cello was certainly really swept up in the music.       I envy people who can play an intrument. We were not given that opportunity during the war. We were lucky to have gym classes, field hockey and tennis. We also had art classes which I loved above all else. We even had a brand new Art class room that had wonderful light with big windows. I remember fondly Miss Seaton the Art teacher.

Doris M. Lediard ● 5281d

I can't remember that but I can remember a proposal to have an EXCEL exhibition place there, that certainly was dumped. I think the problem with Syon Park is that it is a beautiful setting but the access isn't great for concentrated high volumes of traffic that something like that would bring. We used to go to a 'Last Night of the Proms' at Stratfield Saye - the Duke of Wellington's stately pile, but getting out was an absolute nightmare. because it is quite a tiny village, and after about five years they stopped, shame, because it was a smashing night out

Vanessa Smith ● 5283d

I hadn't heard about the defeated Syon Park proposal Jim.. I wonder who put a stop to that?Doris, lovely to hear from you again..and to read your postings. Must visit Oregon one day!  Also I must try to get that picture of the Old Brentford Maternity Hospital in Clayponds Lane for you!. They do have various copies at Ealing Library (local studies section).Yes, at the Musical Museum, the ladies well outnumbered the men.. 18 to 7 ?.. wonder where the men were!!I listened to Rachmaninov music for many years..and the way in which different pianists played and in particular ..how they tackled the 3rd Piano Concerto..and it's challenge.Many readers probably know the piece.One of my favourite Rachmaninov pieces is his Sonata for Cello and Piano.. After you've listened to it several times ..it's beauty intensifies. See what you think.. here's an extract.

Jim Lawes ● 5283d

Thanks for the music Jim! I enjoyed it very much, I especially enjoyed the organ music from the Mormon Tabanacle! Brought home some memories I have of visiting the Tabanacle in Salt Lake City when I was on a work related trip to Hill AFB. I was a very impressive place indeed.    Shame that the Rachmaninov music was enjoyed by so few people.     I'm feeling quite proud of the residents of our little town of just 2000 souls perched on the coast. Yesterday our local library invited the Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen to a meeting at our Community Center.  She invited local poets to read some of their poems and she also read some of hers and also Walt Whitmans whom she admired very much. The room was almost full!    I have to say that the audience were mostly women, there were a few men. the poets were all women!    I think that music and poetry is food for the soul, which is very important when the world seems to be in a heck of a mess. I try not to listen to the news more than I have to.

Doris M. Lediard ● 5284d

Wasn't there a proposal some years ago to hold classical concerts in Syon Park but it was opposed by a local councillor?JL

Jim Linwood ● 5285d

I'm getting carried away listening to that recording played by E Wild..forgotten his christian name..but a great and likable performance. So here's the 3rd and final movement!As I said earlier, one can become a "Friend of the Musical Museum for just £20 pa but I understand that membership taken out after 1st October 2011 gives one an extension till 31st March 2013. So, £1 a month!Go to their website for more information about future events and more.

Jim Lawes ● 5285d

Well I hope you enjoyed your football Keith! Today's production at the Musical Museum, Kew Bridge Road was seemingly a one-off and it was a privilege to be there.Click the arrow and read on if you wish!It was held in the main theatre..seating for hundreds perhaps..with the Wurlitzer out of view (on it's lift at basement level)..and with the stage floodlit where appropriate.  To the right was an immaculate grand piano which was once owned by Frank Holland the founder...and from it's knattered state it has been restored following a fund raising appeal based on "buy one piano key for £88". All were sold to benefactors and the fine restored item known as as a "Ampico reproducing piano" produced a glorious sound.It was like one of those pianos you see at Harrods and the Hilton Hotel, Heathrow...but grander. Individual music rolls are fitted, the keys start moving and a glorious sound is produced without a pianist in sight.Richard Cole, a very knowledgable pianolist(!), was compere and very polished he was too..describing the pieces to be played. We heard Serge Rachmaninov playing his own compositions, and those of Tchaikovski, Mr Korsokoff!!!, Kreizler and more. The concert started with that Prelude in C Minor..and at the end of the first half we were all enthralled by a performance of the 2nd movement of the well known Piano Concerto No2... by Michael Broadway on his pianola (attached to the grand piano on the left side) and one could see the audience entranced at the romantic sounds he produced. It was magic and a privledge.As there was no orchestra to look at it was easy to close ones eyes and float away!  One realised, watching the keyboard movements, that Rachmaninov has large hands with fingers that stretched those distances at the same time. He was a chord man we were told. Play CHORD, then chord again but change one note, play CHORD, then again and change one note. He's a composer worth studying and wallowing in... then you can move on to Sibelius, or Brahms...or for your Grand sunday afternoon teatime..Chopin.The Compere had travelled from Bromley, Kent.. the Pianoist from elsewhere, the Museum staff were waiting...so shame that only 25 of us were there. So, Richard Cole and Michael Broadway did their bit for Rachmaninov (check them out on Google) and I'm just doing mine.How amazing that the human race has developed so much that it has produced pianos and a Russian chap called Rackers..who created romantic sounds.

Jim Lawes ● 5285d

Yes Saint Saens Organ Symphony No 3 is a favourite of mine too and it always reminds me of trips to the Lake District many years ago. I had the cassette in my old car..and I played the piece like mad. The music seemed to blend in with views as I turned each corner on the B5289 from Keswick through Borrowdale to the Honister Pass and further..via Fells, the stone walls, the lakes, the villages Seatoller etc. I did at least six Organ Concerto trips in the Lakes!!So when Melvin Bragg produced a pictorial Lake District TV programme following publication of his book "Land of the Lakes" he chose some ugly music to accompany his filming..and it almost made me turn off the sound. So readers ..try Lake District and Saint Saens in Borrowdale!!But today at the Musical Museum was Rachmaninov day and what a treat that was too. Whilst others were feeding on Macdonalds down the road...a bunch of us were being fed a feast of something special... thanks to Richard Cole and Michael Broadway and those behind the scenes of the Grand Salon at the Museum!

Jim Lawes ● 5285d

One of the most beautiful pieces for the organ is by Saint-Saens, I have heard it twice and it makes the hair on the back of the neck stand up. I think it's Symphony No. 3 - just gorgeous.

Vanessa Smith ● 5286d

That's good to hear Vanessa.. Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto was the piece I became intoxicated with many years ago...but I've recovered.Here's an encore of the earlier YouTube video...but played by an Organ!

Jim Lawes ● 5286d

I actually like Rachmaninov, very romantic and passionate music I think, but Saturday afternoons are not good, anyway I'm going to the theatre in the evening.

Vanessa Smith ● 5286d

You're forgiven Keith but poor excuse!

Jim Lawes ● 5286d

Thanks for the heads up on this Jim.Believe it or not I would go if it were not for the Liverpool v. Man Utd. game being on at the same time.

Keith Iddon ● 5286d

I've just joined the Friends of the Musical Museum Club...and currently the 18 month period of membership (till 31st March 2013) works out at just £1 a month and includes free entry to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum too...except on special occasions.That must be worth a it... somewhere to hid from the cold this winter!..and both have cafes and free parking.

Jim Lawes ● 5286d