Nestled between the hustle and bustle of Fleet Street and the mighty River Thames is a hidden corner of London: wiggly medieval streets, cobbled pavements, serene courtyards. This is Temple – the home of the legal world for centuries.
https://bachproject48.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_0478_2-scaled.jpg21522560Libby Burgesshttps://bachproject48.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/48-logo.pngLibby Burgess2024-04-09 10:58:002024-11-18 09:24:50City of London: county 23
Like many budding young musicians, it was on a summer course as a teenager that I first formed friendships with other people my age who cared about music in the […]
Touring the country has certainly improved my geography of it! Cornwall is the first of the ‘extremity’ counties in the project (Cumbria, Northumberland and Kent still to come), and whilst […]
Following a performance of Book 1 at Bristol University last year, Clifton College hosted Book 2 to complete the Bristol 48. An early morning performance in chapel to the entire school, a series of small-group sessions with GCSE and A-level music students, and an evening concert open to the public and school community.
Two days at St John the Divine in Kennington, a church with a magnificent community choral programme. Two sessions with choristers from the choirs, drop-sessions with audience spanning an age range of some eighty years, and a formal evening concert to conclude.
Two visits to this magnificent city, playing in the Cathedral and the College, revisiting old haunts, and reconnecting with special people from my past.
Two concerts in the beautiful springtime setting of Finedon Church – the sun streaming through the windows, the churchyard covered with flowers, and the Kites swooping overhead as I ate my picnic lunch nearby.
Book 1 in the magical setting of Norwich Cathedral, Book 2 the next day at Gresham’s School near the Norfolk coast, plus workshops and masterclasses with students from half a dozen schools.
A whole 48 in one day, in the beautiful market town of Helmsley. A masterclass in the morning, a matinee performance of Book 1, and an evening performance of Book 2 – all in the charming Arts Centre.
Five performances across two days in four different Cambridge colleges: a brand new auditorium at Trinity Hall, the Old Library at Pembroke, and the chapels of Sidney Sussex and Jesus College. Some audience joining the whole pilgrimage, some popping in for just one concert. And another £1,000 in the fundraising pot!
A couple of days in Nottingham, playing Book 2 at Nottingham High School and St Peter’s Church, and giving a masterclass to school piano students too. Book 1 took place at Southwell in the summer, so Nottinghamshire is now complete! Write-up to follow.
A packed village hall overlooking the glorious Peak District, for an evening performance of Book 1 that raised £1,000 for the charities. Write-up to follow.
Several months on from the Book 2 performances in Chaffcombe, Somerset is now fully ticked off the list thanks to a day of Book 1 performances hosted by Monkton Combe School. GCSE and A-level students from six neighbouring schools joined for a day of workshops and performances. Write-up to follow.
A Sunday afternoon concert in the beautiful Priory Church in Edington: part of a Bach weekend, following on from an Oxford Bach Soloists performance the previous night. Write-up to follow.
A weekend in my old stomping ground, a chance to reconnect with pivotal people and places, a chance to work with engaged and engaging students, and two substantial concerts, one Book in each. Write-up to follow.
Two lunchtime concerts and an evening gala, plus a masterclass, all in two days in the beautiful town of Louth. An incredible team effort from a galvanised committee who drew the community in, arranged sponsors, and raised some £1,800 for the project charities. Write-up to follow.
Six performances hosted by my own parents in the West Sussex village of Amberley. New friends, old friends, a chance to reminisce… and over £2,500 in the charity pot.
Reflections on starting the tour in the East Riding, on getting back to performing, on words for rain, on raising £1,500 for great causes, and on having Bach stuck in your head!
https://bachproject48.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_2204-scaled.jpg25601920Libby Burgesshttps://bachproject48.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/48-logo.pngLibby Burgess2021-05-23 14:16:002021-07-28 01:22:39East Riding of Yorkshire: county 1
City of London: county 23
Nestled between the hustle and bustle of Fleet Street and the mighty River Thames is a hidden corner of London: wiggly medieval streets, cobbled pavements, serene courtyards. This is Temple – the home of the legal world for centuries.
Staffordshire: County 22
Like many budding young musicians, it was on a summer course as a teenager that I first formed friendships with other people my age who cared about music in the […]
Cornwall: County 21
Touring the country has certainly improved my geography of it! Cornwall is the first of the ‘extremity’ counties in the project (Cumbria, Northumberland and Kent still to come), and whilst […]
Bristol: county 13 revisited
Following a performance of Book 1 at Bristol University last year, Clifton College hosted Book 2 to complete the Bristol 48. An early morning performance in chapel to the entire school, a series of small-group sessions with GCSE and A-level music students, and an evening concert open to the public and school community.
Greater London: county 20
Two days at St John the Divine in Kennington, a church with a magnificent community choral programme. Two sessions with choristers from the choirs, drop-sessions with audience spanning an age range of some eighty years, and a formal evening concert to conclude.
Hampshire: County 19
Two visits to this magnificent city, playing in the Cathedral and the College, revisiting old haunts, and reconnecting with special people from my past.
Northamptonshire: County 2 revisited
Two concerts in the beautiful springtime setting of Finedon Church – the sun streaming through the windows, the churchyard covered with flowers, and the Kites swooping overhead as I ate my picnic lunch nearby.
Norfolk: county 18
Book 1 in the magical setting of Norwich Cathedral, Book 2 the next day at Gresham’s School near the Norfolk coast, plus workshops and masterclasses with students from half a dozen schools.
North Yorkshire: county 17
A whole 48 in one day, in the beautiful market town of Helmsley. A masterclass in the morning, a matinee performance of Book 1, and an evening performance of Book 2 – all in the charming Arts Centre.
Cambridgeshire: county 16
Five performances across two days in four different Cambridge colleges: a brand new auditorium at Trinity Hall, the Old Library at Pembroke, and the chapels of Sidney Sussex and Jesus College. Some audience joining the whole pilgrimage, some popping in for just one concert. And another £1,000 in the fundraising pot!
Nottinghamshire: county 9 revisited
A couple of days in Nottingham, playing Book 2 at Nottingham High School and St Peter’s Church, and giving a masterclass to school piano students too. Book 1 took place at Southwell in the summer, so Nottinghamshire is now complete! Write-up to follow.
Greater Manchester: county 15
A packed village hall overlooking the glorious Peak District, for an evening performance of Book 1 that raised £1,000 for the charities. Write-up to follow.
Somerset: county 3 revisited
Several months on from the Book 2 performances in Chaffcombe, Somerset is now fully ticked off the list thanks to a day of Book 1 performances hosted by Monkton Combe School. GCSE and A-level students from six neighbouring schools joined for a day of workshops and performances. Write-up to follow.
Wiltshire: county 14
A Sunday afternoon concert in the beautiful Priory Church in Edington: part of a Bach weekend, following on from an Oxford Bach Soloists performance the previous night. Write-up to follow.
Bristol: county 13
A visit to the University of Bristol, performing in the splendid Victoria Rooms to an audience of students and staff. Write-up to follow.
Rutland: county 12
A weekend in my old stomping ground, a chance to reconnect with pivotal people and places, a chance to work with engaged and engaging students, and two substantial concerts, one Book in each. Write-up to follow.
Lincolnshire: county 11
Two lunchtime concerts and an evening gala, plus a masterclass, all in two days in the beautiful town of Louth. An incredible team effort from a galvanised committee who drew the community in, arranged sponsors, and raised some £1,800 for the project charities. Write-up to follow.
Derbyshire: county 10
Evening performances at Repton School and Trent College, and an afternoon playing an art installation piano to a drop-in audience. Write-up to follow.
Nottinghamshire: county 9
Three mornings of Breakfast with Bach as part of the brilliant Southwell Music Festival. Write-up to follow.
Oxfordshire: county 8
An aborted Oxford visit thanks to a rogue covid test. Memories of times past in this place and an intimate evening of music.
South Yorkshire: county 7
The whole 48 in a day, for the first time, at the brilliant Music in the Round. Thoughts on cellos, fallibility, and questioning.
Suffolk: county 6
Aldeburgh Bach: music by the marsh, Britten at every turn, Sir Humphrey Burton’s input, and a blockbuster fundraising success.
West Sussex: county 5
Six performances hosted by my own parents in the West Sussex village of Amberley. New friends, old friends, a chance to reminisce… and over £2,500 in the charity pot.
Berkshire: county 4
Two days in Berkshire, the hottest days of the year so far! A concert in Windsor’s arts centre, and a performance and workshop day at Eton College.
Somerset: county 3
A Somerset idyll: indoor-outdoor Bach in a special corner of the country.
Northamptonshire: county 2
Looking back on the first part of my Northamptonshire visit – two concerts in St Matthew’s and a school session at Malcolm Arnold Academy.
East Riding of Yorkshire: county 1
Reflections on starting the tour in the East Riding, on getting back to performing, on words for rain, on raising £1,500 for great causes, and on having Bach stuck in your head!