Lockdown Accompanist

For the last 3 weeks the UK has been in lockdown. Unlike the previous lockdown, music exams have been taking place. The powers that be decided that music studios were places of work, meaning that rehearsals went ahead , even though all of my teaching was again relegated to online lessons.

Accompaniment is a passion of mine. I love working with instrumentalists and singers, and enjoy learning new repertoire, or playing known repertoire with different soloists, giving a completely new complexion to the music.. In the last few weeks I have accompanied 2 clarinet exams - a diploma and a grade 8. The repertoire included pieces by Grovlez, Malcolm Arnold and Brahms - all very different, but equally enjoyable to play. A singing grade 8 with a fun Finzi Rollicum Rorum and a grade 7 violin (my student) playing Bach, Stravinsky and an extrovert Polonaise by Bohm complete this term’s exams.

I experienced a first after playing the Brahms clarinet sonata - the examiner actually thanked me for the ‘excellent, supportive accompaniment’! I enjoyed working with the clarinettist on this; helping her to fully realise the beauty of the piece, and give space to the music, meant that she forgot her nerves and really listened to the ensemble.

It is so rewarding to interact with another musician through the medium of great pieces, especially after months of enforced solo playing. Music is by definition interactive and reactive - every musician can read the notation which the composer has written, but each will bring their own experience and personality to the music and bring it to life in a slightly different way. When the music is a duo, then this process is doubled, and the interplay between the soloist and accompanist brings a further dimension to the piece.

I am hopeful that in the next few months life will return to some semblance of normality and there will be further accompaniment opportunities - maybe even a music festival or two?

Visiting old haunts

My Saturday nights used to be mostly spent at West 5, a friendly, welcoming, fun place in Ealing where I played for open mic. There was no snobbery - anyone could get on the mic and sing. Books of lyrics were scattered around the room, for those who wanted to use them. There was a posse of regular singers, there were those needing dutch courage to come to the mic, and, usually later in the evening, the local theatre college crowd.

En route (from my daytime private teaching in Central London) I would stop off at a small, authentic Italian restaurant. The owner (and chef) is Sardinian, and makes the best pizza and pasta ever. Always welcoming, chatting with all the customers and cooking up a storm. (Caserrecio by Acton Town tube if anyone is that way).

I have really missed these Saturday nights, but yesterday I revisited. My cousin (drag queen Elektra Fence) was starring at West 5, and we took the opportunity to call in at Livio’s restaurant on the way. I’d forgotten how delicious the food was, and even had to have dessert! West 5 seemed strangely empty, but due to social distancing measures, capacity was 35, spread among several small tables.

The show was excellent - 3 queens including Elektra, and a singer with an amazing voice. I did get the chance to chat briefly with my cousin, despite the 10pm curfew!

Yes, it was great to see live entertainment again, but tragic to witness the restrictions imposed on venues.

Please support any and every live venue you can - they are facing huge barriers, and I would hate to lose any of the variety of entertainment these clubs and venues provide.

Let’s teach till the next gig

These are strange times. Since March I have played one gig, having had 3 a week before lockdown. The venues I was working at are not able to resume live music at present.

Luckily, as well as live gigs, I have lots of piano and violin students. Many are now learning online, but I have a Covid safe studio in my garden which is perfect for lessons.

My other great passion is working with other musicians as an accompanist, and as music exams are being held this term (having been cancelled in March, with none taking place in the summer term), I have been asked to accompany several diploma and high grade exams within the next month. I’m learning lots of clarinet repertoire, including Brahms and Grovlez sonatas. Also working hard on violin and vocal accompaniments.