Our news - intriplicate

Autumn 2006 newsletter

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We achieved more in our first morning than we had in weeks. This was a tranquil environment which seemed to cushion us from the pressures of the outside world - phone calls, emails and administration were swept away to allow for a glorious ten days of musical discovery. The momentum of rehearsing intensively for four sessions per day was extremely valuable; each one building on the last which was still clear in our minds.

The course ran like clockwork thanks to Jonathan and his laptop - yet the atmosphere was always relaxed which allowed us to practise completely unfettered by external pressures. The nurturing and supportive culture engendered a feeling of positive camaraderie rather than edgy competition between groups.

It was a unique experience to have so many expert ears holding up a mirror to our playing. There was a tutor representing each of our instruments: William Bennett OBE (flute), Neil Black OBE (oboe) and Clifford Benson (piano). We were allocated a good deal of time with each and felt able to express ourselves as we wanted, free from any worries about what they would consider to be 'right' or 'wrong'. They always challenged us to think in different ways about music, offering ideas but never imposing their interpretations upon us. We also spent time with Richard Deakin (violin) who shed new light on our playing from an objective angle.

Our coaching sessions were full of laughter and dancing (yes, all our mentors began to dance at one time or another), celebrating music in the best way possible. Neil wanted to hear a movement again, but worried that this was not a good enough reason for us to replay it - for us it was a pleasure and privilege to do so, knowing that he was enjoying it so much!

We were encouraged to work on colours and sounds, not just matters of technique; all the tutors making us think even more about possibilities of expression through phrasing. WIBB was like a bird of prey over a phrase, circling overhead and then suddenly swooping to the crux of the matter with his eagle eye for detail - an eagle with an acute sense of humour, of course! We had time to completely deconstruct our interpretations and rebuild them in fresh and exciting ways.

The post-Strathgarry intriplicate is a trio much more likely to take risks in performance; Clifford egged us on in this helping us to have even more fun than usual on stage!

We relished our workshop with the energetic pupils at a local Perthshire school, and the Showcase has also inspired and informed our own individual teaching back at home, passing on the positive effects of our experiences to our pupils; both adults and children. WIBB, Neil and Clifford's methods are now all represented in the Manchester area and I find myself alluding to our discoveries in demonstrating musical points.

It would be impossible to write a review of the Showcase without mentioning Henrietta, Sebastian, Bumble, Jamie, Bella, Jemima, Lavinia, Helen and David, whose combined talents allowed us to relax in beautiful surroundings and be fed, watered and wined in unparalleled style. They made us feel so comfortable and at home, were consistently generous of spirit and had some incredible stories to tell.

Here is an extract from the Tunnell Trust website, about the Strathgarry Showcase for Young Musicians:

For the past twelve years this very special and important chamber music showcase week, for talented Young Musicians at the start of their professional careers, has taken place in the Perthshire hills. The Tunnell Trust has always exclusively supported chamber groups and not individuals. We are providing a unique opportunity for groups to spend uninterrupted time together to rehearse and perform. Wendy Tunnell, the founder of the event, succeeded in creating an environment for young musicians which enables them to escape the pressures of everyday life as young professionals and to have the space and time to develop their musicianship further at a crucial 'make or break' stage in their careers. The Young Musicians attend by invitation of the Trust which bears the cost in full. Attendance is for established chamber groups only and is by invitation.

The relationship between the young musicians and the tutors is a collaboration, free from any traditional student-professor hierarchy. This collaboration concentrates on performance techniques, presentation and repertoire, aiming to better equip these talented youngsters in their future careers.

Strathgarry is a wonderful working environment set in the hills outside Pitlochry in Perthshire. There is space and accommodation for up to 10 groups to rehearse and an intimate concert hall, ideally suited to chamber music.

The schedule allows for extensive rehearsal as well as much needed performing opportunities for all in the five public concerts during the week.

With extensive press coverage and publicity relating to the week we aim to raise the profiles of the musicians attending. We invite a number of promoters to the event in the hope of securing future engagements for our musicians.

During the week there are a number of workshops with local schoolchildren, including a group of children with special needs, who benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of the young musicians attending the course.

For further information about concerts, educational workshops and press reviews please visit their website at www.tunnelltrust.org.uk

Arnold - Suite Bourgeoise (April 2005)

As part of the Strathgarry Showcase of Young Musicians 2005, on Sunday 22nd May 2005 intriplicate performed the first complete European performance of Sir Malcolm Arnold's colourful Suite Bourgeoise for flute, oboe and piano since it was lost in 1940.

When the work reappeared in 1997, the trio Sounds Positive were due to perform what was advertised as a world premiere, but due to the indisposition of their oboist had to perform with a stand-in after just one rehearsal. As a result they decided to omit the final movement and change the order of the remainder.

The work was finally published by Queen's Temple Publications (www.qtpublications.co.uk), of which Sir Malcolm Arnold CBE is president, in 2004.

There was a complete performance in Iowa by members of the Iowa Woodwind Quintet on 10th March 2005, but Keith Llewellyn (Hon Secretary of The Malcolm Arnold Society (http://welcome.to/arnold) has confirmed that intriplicate's was the first complete European performance since the work was lost shortly after it was written, over 60 years ago.