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Yaffler.com is the weblog and general knockabout site of...
David: Engineer by day, guitarist by night
Kylie: Mother... 24/7/365
Timothy: Mr Busy
Sarah: Cutie pie
We're from Tasmania, Australia.
Feeling chatty? Drop us a line at contact@yaffler.com or follow the link above to our Contact page.
Check out the "Links" link above for some interesting and useful web sites.
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23 Oct 2007, 18:08
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Posted by: |
David
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Hi there... still haven't thought of anything to write, however I'm writing this as an example for Reg.
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28 Apr 2007, 7:47
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Posted by: |
David
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Isn't it terrible, I haven't written an entry for more than a year!! Mind you, Kylie hasn't either (neither have Timothy or Sarah for that matter). I should put up some photo's of our new house being built? Okay okay, I'll see what I can do. It's all a matter of time of course.
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9 Feb 2006, 17:24
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Posted by: |
David
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New photo's at last!! I've put a heap of new ones on the latest photo's page; some of Timothy and Sarah and others of the guitar summer school I went to in Sydney. I wrote an article for the January edition of the Hobart Guitar Society's newsletter and have included it for your reading pleasure below...
Five Steamy Days in Sydney or,
My Time at the Sydney Guitar Society Summer School, January 2006.
Actually I really did have five steamy days in Sydney. Fortunately the temperature only got into the high 20’s. Unfortunately the humidity was 85%+. If you’ve never been to one it’s worth going. The summer school is a well organised annual event put on for the last ten years by the Sydney Classical Guitar Society. This year’s dates were 11-15 January, and over the course of the five days there were plenty of opportunities for ensemble playing, workshops, masterclasses, concerts, chatting with new friends and of course the summer school orchestra where all participants join together into a mammoth guitar ensemble. For people who live outside of Sydney the society organises billeting with society members for a very small fee, which makes the five days very affordable.
I believe this year was the summer school’s biggest so far, with 81 participants attending. The guest artist-in-residence was Czech guitarist Pavel Steidl. Mr Steidl, who specialises (although not exclusively) in early 19th century works by composers such as Paganini, Mertz and Giuliani, has an extraordinary technical and interpretive mastery of the guitar, and is said by many to be one of the greatest living guitarists. If you haven’t heard him play before, rush out and buy a CD. You can also check him out on the web at www.pavelsteidl.com.
“What am I going to write about the summer school?” I’ve been thinking. Well since I kept a diary of sorts, I thought I might as well replay an abridged version of events here for you. So here goes…
Tuesday 10 January
Drove to Lauceston to catch my flight to Sydney (direct thankfully – nothing worse than hanging around Melbourne airport for hours!). After collecting my bag and guitar (still in one piece), headed to the underground train station for my ride into the city. Got off at Town Hall station and made for the office of my billet (Paul). Dropped off my kit and hit the town for some shopping. Made it back to Paul’s office for 5.00pm after which we drove to his place in his (airconditioned) car. (This was my first chance to get to know Paul and his family and I think can say that after the five days we have become firm friends).
Wednesday 11 January
The standard summer school day starts at 9:25am and runs until 4:30pm, with an hour for lunch plus morning and afternoon tea. We arrived at the venue (Ascham Girls’ School) slightly late thanks to Sydney traffic. Paul assures me that the traffic this week is fairly light due to many people still away on holidays. Mental note: I think they must all be in Tassie, judging by the number of NSW number plates around home!
After the intro we head off to our allocated ensemble groups, of between 10-12 people plus instructor. Our instructor was the very friendly and easy going Daniel McKay (of Guitar Trek fame.) Turns out that our two pieces are the Pavane Op.50 by Gabriel Faure and No. 4 Impromptu (Allegro) by Australian composer Phillip Houghton. Hmm… the Houghton piece is going to be a struggle. My sight reading is not great by any means.
Alan Bull, the summer school’s luthier-in-residence gave a post morning-tea lecture about guitar construction (focussing on his guitars in particular). He brought along three guitars, one of which was particularly interesting with a hybrid sound board made of both spruce and cedar. The Sydney Guitar Trio played some pieces to demonstrate the guitars. Very nice!
Following lunch (bought at nearby Edgecliff shopping centre) was the first masterclass by Pavel Steidl. Three students performed for him in turn and had their respective techniques, nails and interpretation carefully honed by Pavel with his bevy of suggested exercises. It was so good I took three pages of notes! So much to do; so little time…
Afternoon tea and then into one of the two orchestras for rehearsal. The orchestra names (Christmas and Grenfell) were a little cryptic until I realised that we were playing the Blue Suite by our own Maria Grenfell. Did I say the Houghton piece was a test for my sight reading? This is going to be tough. I think I’ve got the blues.
Thursday 12 January
Straight into the ensemble work today. Must be getting used to the music as the notes are starting to come together. The ensemble sounds okay, but we definitely need some work before we’re supposed to perform this thing on Sunday!
Another two players at the Steidl masterclass and another two pages of notes. I need to learn shorthand!
My DrizaBone hat seems to have attained minor-celebrity status at the summer school, since Pavel Steidl noticed it. He told me he loves Australian hats (he already has an Akubra) and needs a DrizaBone hat to go with the coat he bought last time he was in Australia. I believe the summer school organisers are going to try to get him one as a gift. They even tried to offer me money for mine! It is well worn-in I must admit.
This afternoon is the first summer school concert. Today a performance by Canberra School of Music graduate, Harold Gretton. What an outstanding display of music – both aurally and visually. The 1988 work, Sequenza XI by Luciano Berio was the piece that stood out. To be honest, I can’t really think of words to describe it. If you ever get a chance to listen to it, you might know what I mean!
Orchestra rehearsal and then home.
Friday 13 January
The now routine ensemble practice and masterclass fill the morning. Two more pages of notes. Have I got enough pens to last me to the end of the summer school? Between lunch and orchestra practice I thought I might mix it up today, so went to half a masterclass by Daniel McKay and then found a hidey-hole for some private practice (that Grenfell piece!)
After orchestra, everyone heads down to a wood-fired pizza restaurant in Double Bay for the traditional pre-concert dinner. With 81 attendees this year the restaurant is packed with guitarists out for a good time, however the meal is short and sweet as it’s back to the school for the main concert at 7:30pm, by Pavel Steidl. Another fabulous display of virtuosity, with pieces ranging from Bach to Paganini (love ‘em) and finishing off with a mesmerising piece by Mr Steidl himself (And you go to Ithaca too).
Saturday 14 January
Started today with a refreshing early morning walk with my host, Paul. I think our ensemble is really starting to come together now. We’ve organised who will be doing the cueing for the start, the ritenutos and rallentandos, so most of the music is even in time now! Three more pages of masterclass notes this morning. Phew.
The composition competition performance was held this afternoon, where composers submit a piece for guitar ensemble. The finalists and winners pieces were played.
Sunday 15 January
Last ensemble practice before the final concert this afternoon. I think our pieces sound as good as they’re going to get with just five days from go to whoa. With more time we could be a tight little group!
I’m just about guitar-ed out today. The rest of the morning and after lunch is given over to free performance in the main theatre. I felt like some space, so found my quiet corner (under the tennis courts!) and did a few hours of practice.
Final orchestra practice this afternoon, with Pavel Steidl conducting. I think Maria’s Blue Suite has brushed up pretty well although with more time it could have been perfect!
5:30 pm and the summer school grand finale concert is the culmination of the five days’ hard work. Each of the ensembles played their pieces well. A first for me – I decided it was a waste of time to let my nerves get the better of my playing. So when it was our turn I just got stuck in and enjoyed it! It felt great too!
Both Grenfell and Christmas orchestras played our respective pieces and then joined together into an 81 piece rendition of La Cumparsita by Rodriguez. Surprise, surprise, at the end of the performances the organising committee presented Pavel with a DrizaBone hat!
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2 Jan 2006, 7:01
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Posted by: |
David
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Found this great quote tonight...
"Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance."
--Sam Brown
Love it!
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22 Dec 2005, 17:43
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Posted by: |
David
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Well, the end of another year and a busy one at that! Only thing left to do is to have morning tea and then head to Devonport for our work lunch. Speaking of lunch I broke my tooth while eating lunch yesterday - you know, the one that had the root canal "therapy" (read "torture"). S'pose that means I'm going to have to get it patched up again $$$. At least it doesn't hurt, being dead now.
So. What to do in my ten days off then? Lots of playing with Timothy and Sarah of course. Maybe we'll do something exciting. Maybe I'll even update the photo's on Yaffler? You never know your luck! Check back soon...
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2 Nov 2005, 0:29
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Posted by: |
David
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Yay! Exams now finished :)
Going home now, but coming back to Launceston on Saturday with Stephen. We're going to see the Goodies (still alive) on stage. Can't wait. Kylie will be glad to have me back. Might even give her the day off next Monday (long weekend) ;)
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