Zoom For Thought

This episode of the Music Department's 'In Conversation' series features saxophonist with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Phil Veacock, in discussion with director of the University Concert and Big Bands, Ian Swatman.  

From reflecting on early inspiration playing the recorder and school leading into playing the clarinet, Phil looks back on being inspired to take up the saxophone on seeing 2-Tone bands playing on 'Top of the Pops;' playing with 'The Larks' and turning down a recording contract; illicit vegetable snaffling in east Kent; joining the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, playing on 'Wogan' and Chris Evans' 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush' and the 'Hootenanny' revels; and, during COVID restrictions, finding alternative work as a delivery driver for the Charlton Bakehouse bakery.

http://philveacock.com/

Theme: Partita no.2 by JS Bach; Olivia Harris-Harding, violin

In the second part of the interview with Hugh Huddy, part of the creative team behind Radio Lento and its weekly series of 'sound postcards from beautiful places,' Hugh reflects on listening to the skies over his back garden over lockdown when air traffic had been suspended; the impact of drone technology on environmental sound; the importance of listening in to other worlds; and the idea of structured listening to the environment compared to listening to music.

https://radiolento.podbean.com/

Theme: Partita no.2 by JS Bach; Olivia Harris-Harding, violin

This week's episode is the first of several featuring Hugh Huddy, who, with his wife Madeleine, is the creative force behind Radio Lento, a podcast series presenting soundscapes recorded in the natural environment. From dawn chorus in the Forest of Dean to shingle beaches at Folkestone, each episode presents an immersive listening experience, offering, in Hugh's own words, 'weekly sound postcards from beautiful places.'

In this first episode, Hugh reflects on the challenges of recording the natural world; the concept of authenticity and being true to the practice of capturing the environment in sound, in single, unedited takes; and similarities between listening to soundscapes and to music, and the idea of defeating time.

Theme: Partita no.2 by JS Bach; Olivia Harris-Harding, violin

https://radiolento.podbean.com/

Our In Conversation series continues with pianist and festival artistic director, Libby Burgess.  

Pianist, chamber musician and accompanist, Libby's work has taken her to festivals and concert-halls around the country. She is also Artistic Director of the New Paths Festival, founded in 2016 and which takes place each spring in Beverley, and Co-Artistic Director of Beverley's own Chamber Music Festival.  

In this interview, Libby reflects on finding new ways to engage audiences for the New Paths Festival in light of the pandemic, her own responses as pianist and vocal coach, and looks ahead to her ' Bach Project48,' setting herself the ambitious challenge of playing all of Bach's 48 Preludes and Fugues in each of the forty-eight counties of England, and what effect playing the entire set in different venues throughout the country might have on her own relationship to the famed set.

http://libbyburgess.com 

Theme: Partita no.2 in D minor by JS Bach: Olivia Harris-Harding, violin

The second part of Episode Two of the cultural ramblings of Fluff 'n Stuff takes in chart pop, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush's albums 'Lionheart' and 'The Red Shoes,' and the right time to experience the music of Joni Mitchell.

The voices: Dan Harding (Head of Music Performance), Sophie Meikle (Music Administrator) from the Music Department at the University of Kent.

Our second episode was packed full of ideas, we had to split it into two parts!

Herein Part One, in which our brave correspondents address the American comedy series 'Superstore, Frasier, Kate Bush's 'Hounds of Love' and the preservation of childhood memories, the thorny issue of Britten versus Tippett, and an uplifting ringtone.

The voices: Dan Harding (Head of Music Performance), Sophie Meikle (Music Administrator), Music Department, University of Kent.

Theme: Muskrat Ramble Interrupted by Sheep

Welcome to Fluff N’ Stuff!

Grab a cuppa and cosy up to two friends reminiscing about gatefold vinyl, pop music, the most embarrassing records they are ashamed to admit they own, Adam Ant, Blondie, Chas ‘n Dave, The Cure, The Stranglers, the appeal (or not) of Disco, the pull of nostalgia, and lots of laughter.

The voices: Dan Harding (Head of Music Performance), Sophie Meikle (Music Administrator), Music Department, University of Kent.

The second in our In Conversation strand features clarinettist, Radio 3 presenter, producer, writer and CEO of the Stapleford Granary in Cambridge, Kate Romano.

Here, Kate reflects on starting at the venue during the pandemic, and creative solutions and avenues they have been exploring; different approaches to performing and programming, and re-thinking the traditional concert-model; using digital platforms to engage audiences and the benefits and challenges created by streaming.

Theme: JS Bach: Partita no.2 in D minor. Olivia Harris-Harding, violin