It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
It's rare for us to have five nights in the same place, but that's what we're experiencing at the moment as we base ourselves in Zurich and head out each day for a concert with the CHAARTS ensemble. The chance to catch up on admin and actually unpack a suitcase for once is very valuable indeed!This tour is another offshoot of our American Songbook project, this time with a chamber orchestra comprising three string quartets, a rhythm section of bass and drums, and a very versatile wind player who variously plays saxophone and flute according to the demands of each arrangement. We rehearsed for the first time yesterday, and hearing the stripped-down orchestrations was fascinating. Unlike the full symphonic versions, with their sweeping and lush harmonies, we were treated to a masterclass in detail - crisp rhythms, sensitive accompaniment and an air of cheekiness that reminded me of the roaring 20s and the age of Jeeves and Wooster.After a few years of a project it often feels as though it's time to move on to the next thing, but this one seems to have the legs to run for a while yet. The richness of the repertoire and the fact that it has universal appeal - we've performed the songs from Shanghai to Auckland in the east, from Warsaw to Madrid in Europe, and from NewYork to Seattle in the USA - has made it a hugely satisfying programme to tour. Yet, of course, as we look ahead to the 50th in 2018, we've already planned out our album releases between now and then, and are due to start working on a new Christmas album early in 2016. The music is starting to arrive now, and it's exciting to look over brand new scores, try to hear them in your head, and wonder how they'll be received in concert.On another note, I wrote about judging this year's Carol for Christmas competition earlier in the month. The standard of entry was very high indeed, and all of the judges were impressed by the technique and style shown by many of the composers who entered. The big event, on 4 December, promises to be a day filled with wonderful music. If you're able to join us in the surroundings of King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, you won't be disappointed!
