Tag Archives: music
Santa Sabina
When we were in Rome, a couple of weeks ago, I insisted we go and see “my favourite church in Rome”. The first church I ever liked, to which I owe my introduction to, and love for, early sacred music. … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged Gregorian Chant, katherine gregor, music, rome, Santa Sabina, scribe doll, writing
19 Comments
A Soundtrack to Growing Up
Not long ago – I forget where – I read an article in which several writers listed the most influential books of their childhood; books that changed their lives and inspired them to become writers. Inevitably, I thought back to my own … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends, Uncategorized
Tagged creative writing, growing up, katherine gregor, music, scribe doll
22 Comments
The Busker
It was a voice carried by the wind through the semi-deserted streets of a Norwich Sunday afternoon. A voice that sang not into your ear but into your heart. I started walking towards it. He was standing outside NatWest Bank, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged folk singing, katherinegregor, music, norfolk, norwich, scribedoll, writing
16 Comments
Pandolfi’s Violin
There’s a twinkle in the eye of the violin in Pandolfi’s sonatas. He teases, provokes, confuses – then bursts out laughing. An impish laugh, part-threatening, part-joyful. Now, he plays the notes measuredly, mathematically, in deference to the accompanying continuo, and now … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, music, pandolfi mealli, scribe doll, violin sonatas
13 Comments
The Sweet Sound of Pear Wood
It had lain in its case, on top of the CDs, since I moved here last April. Occasionally, I would pick it up and blow the dust off the black cloth case, but never open it, even though I longed … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged alto recorder, brigg fair, east anglia, katherine gregor, music, scribe doll, writing
20 Comments
Turandot – A Story of Redemption
One of my favourite operas – if not my actual favourite – is Turandot. Inspired by the Persian fairy tale Turan-Dokht, it was Giacomo Puccini’s swansong, left unfinished at his death and completed by Franco Alfano. There is something profoundly different about … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, love, music, opera, puccini, scribe doll, turandot, writing
18 Comments
Deciphering the Music Code
Saturday morning. My friend L. and I are on the ‘phone, arranging one of our brunches in Notting Hill. Her soft Irish tone turns businesslike. “Now do you want to come up for your lesson before or after brunch?” I … Continue reading
Review: Scandal, Lyres and Audiotape
Take a lyre. Take a harp. Both string instruments, right? Well, not just string instruments. The lyre and the harp have been heroines of the music stage since the dawn of times. Since Orpheus first charmed his way in and … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged clatre goodall, early music, edinburgh fringe, katherine gregor, music, one woman show, rafe beckley, scribe doll
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Odds & Ends: ‘Hushabye Mountain’
As many of you will have heard, Robert B. Sherman passed away, last week, aged 86. With his brother Richard M. Sherman, he wrote songs for films many of us will remember from their childhood, such as – among others – … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged bret jones, childhood, chitty chitty bang bang, hushabye mountain, katherine gregor, life, lullaby, memories, music, news, scribedoll, sherman brothers
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Odds & Ends: A Green Pillar Candle
I am warming my stiffened fingers on the green pillar candle on my desk. Forest green. I bought it from Robert Sayle’s. The flame is dancing on the sloped ceiling of my attic room. The East Anglian wind is … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged american accent.english accent, cambridge, katherine gregor, king's college, la boheme, life, music, musings, sarcasm, scribedoll, sound of music
20 Comments
Scribe Doll 