Girolamo Alessandro Frescobaldi (1583-1643) is a well-known figure in western classical music of the early baroque and honoured as one of the ‘fathers of Italian music’ on his tombstone. He was a master of the keyboard, philosopher of music, as well as prolific, inventive and innovative composer, and generous teacher and mentor. He held perhaps […]

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I have wanted to perform these works by the modern composer Nico Muhly (b. 1981) for some time now. The O Antiphons have a special and specific role in preperation for Christmas. Seven songs for seven nights before Christmas Eve. The Antiphons form the Latin acrostic ‘Ero cras’ meaning ‘Tomorrow I will be’, these antiphons […]

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“All the air things wear that build this world of Wales”, is a quote from Gerard Manly Hopkins picked up from Jan Morris last and latest book, Alligorizings. The featured image here is of the new organ console from Virtual Pipe Organs Australia – http://www.virtualpipeorgan.com.au/. Travel seems the ultimate luxury in these covid-ridden days. Even […]

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For some reason the music of Juan Cabanilles (1644–1712) hit a chord with me, in that strange post/mid-covid opening up of Victoria (Australia) during Lent 2021. I think it was the expressive virtuosity of his music, littered as it is with references to the past mystery of modes, and the deeply personal, that compelled me […]

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Ave Generosa is the latest release by Margaret Rizza and is a must have for music lovers, church goers, choir members and church music directors everywhere. It’s been a rough year around the world, with many of us missing our usual musical and spiritual outlets. If you’ve been feeling the same way then Ave Generosa might […]

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I love this picture in the hallway of St. Peter’s Parish Centre, where I am Musical Director and organist. Hallways are often used for rushing from one place to another, usually to the loos which are at the end of our hallway. This picture always slows me down. The reflection of the sky in the […]

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I hope there are many reviews by community members of the new book Timeless On The Silk Road by Heather Ellis. For one thing it would mean that people are reading, which is always a good sign. And, for some more than others, it’s an opportunity to reflect on someone else’s life experience of HIV. […]

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As part of coursework for COMM1107 Assessment 01: Online Stakeholder Engagement According to my professional network on LinkedIn, Skills & Endorsement for social media number 50, well above other areas of professional expertise, such as Marketing/Advertising (38) and Public Relations (33). This doesn’t mean I am claiming to be an expert and I’m very grateful […]

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Last night was the opening of the Brunswick Beethoven Festival. A series of 12 chamber music concerts featuring local and international artists the Festival spans the rest of this week and after a 9 day break, returns February 19 – 25. Now in its 12th year, the festival is curated by organ maestro and classical […]

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  We Were There is the powerful new theatre work which focuses on the women of the HIV/AIDS response. A brave project from talented theatre makers Dirk Hoult & Gavin Roach, We Were There transports us back to the scary, fragmented beginnings of the emerging epidemic through to now, not quite triumphed over the virus, […]

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