Simon Leeson

Music is not considered to be a "core" subject. It was core to the last hour though.

Yet again Abrsm have scheduled one teacher's candidates either side of the lunch break with no consideration of the accompanist.

I've been working this morning in Shirley. I am serious.

Wonderful to hear a recital from a young singer who was a pupil at a school I teach at, and is now studying at my old college. What a beautiful, rich baritone voice he now has.

Summer sorted. All set for Yunchan Lim, Martha Argerich, and Yuja Wang.

When I visited Doune Castle they had coconut shells to borrow so you could clip clop round Monty Python style. I hope the new Beatles museum in Savile Row will have a policeman's helmet available.

Hoped Bakwa was going to do an Archie Gemmill there, but not to be #nffc

That looks like Rick Wakeman on Villa's coaching staff.

Surprised, but pleased, to be congratulating Chelsea fans on their consolation goal.

I can virtually taste the sea on my lips.

I went for a run earlier. Not just Grimes at his exercise.

Spurs fan just wished me luck as I sit down for tonight's game, which given their predicament was very decent of him.

@YehudaShapiro Yes! I've seen those singers give compelling acting performances (mostly recently Peter Hoare in Siegfried) and would rather have given them my undivided attention.

@SimonLeeson1 It all felt a bit 'out of body', didn't it? The introductory spiel from the SBC's artistic director had led me to expect something that pushed a few more boundaries. A straightforward concert performance would have been more powerful.

It's one of my favourite films, so I've immediately booked The Lives of Others on stage this autumn.

@YehudaShapiro I was just reading your thoughts on Wozzeck. "Sense of detachment rather than visceral involvement" was exactly what I felt.

@SimonLeeson1 I still think the title should have been translated as 'Other People's Lives', though -- just as the delightful French film 'Le Goût des autres' should have been called 'Other People's Taste', not 'The Taste of Others', which always sounded deeply dodgy to me.

Video for Wozzeck felt too much like sitting behind someone flicking through their phone. It would have helped if the faces on the screen were those of the singers.

Seasons overlapping.

@DavidCloke @jsdhenderson If only!

@SimonLeeson1 @jsdhenderson Did she regale you with more songs round the old joanna?!

Every time I hear Beth Taylor, my jaw metaphorically hits the floor. A glorious, world-class voice and a sincere, generous performer. You don’t get to hear a singer like this very often. 🥺🥺👏👏 Wonderful playing by Hamish Brown, too.

When I turned my phone off for this recital, Forest looked to be all at sea too. An hour later, after some terrific singing, Forest had been magic too!

That worked quickly

Apologies to my Palace friends, but come on Brighton!