Newspapers in Lucerne

Several of the local newspapers has small advertisements for the benefit concert at the Lucerne Hofkirche. These naturally mentioned the Barker Chor und Kammerorchester (Choir and Chamber Orchestra).

Mount Pilatus and Luzerne – 11 December

AFTER WEDNESDAY’S FANTASTIC EFFORT IT WAS GOOD FOR US ALL TO LET OFF STEAM.

At the top of Mt. Pilatus in minus 7 degrees we had the BIG snowball fight. Nobody, and I mean nobody was spared.

Dr. K. thought he might have avoided some snow dusting but  the intoductory words of ” Only sinners are allowed” led to an avalanche in his corner.

Fodue for lunch, and then down to Luzenre for a quick sight see and shop.

Gonight’s performance to our Schupfheim hosts promises to be very special. Have to be back by 4.30 p.m. for tea turnaround and change. ……and the Swiss are always on time.

Long trip to Paris tomorrow, it will be sad to farewell these wunderbar people, their generosity and warmth of welcome has been simply amazing.

Hope it’s not too hot for u back home

Love James A.

Schpfheim and Luzerne – 10 December

BIG PERFORMANCE DAY!

Our excited party arrived  through the snow with little hitch.

The first performance was to the 200 pupils from Schupfheim School. The church was heated and the very obliging Sacristan moved Christmas-Advent decorations to fully utilize the performance space. After lunch in the school cafeteria we then proceeded to Schloss Castle in Luzerne.

Schloss Castle.

The power of music therapy was in evidence for the 60 or so patients who attended our concert. It was very moving to see how much our music did for these people, some of whom were not so old as to make the students perhaps more aware of their own vulnerability. There were patients who helped conduct and sing along to the music. Jingle Bells was a great hit at the end.

Hofkirche

It was a very quick turnaround, and the pressure and pace was really starting to build up with 2 musch longer performances. This Gothic Cathedral has a quite simply best acoustic, resonance to support the sound, but (after the somewhat bathroom sound of Salzburg) providing all performers with an opportunity to listen to the musical whole. The musicians responded in the very best possible way.

At 6.30 p.m. the Schubert Mass was sung from the gallery. Choir and orchestra unseen behind organ pipes but their sumptuous sound filled the wonderful space. Alison Morris and Tom Elstermann will never forget this solo opportunity and wow did they take this chance of a lifetime.

7.30 p.m. a concert with the Luzern Vocal Ensemble. Amy Kitto got the nod for Veni Emmanuel and the performers never lloked back from the opening notes. Backing up a performance of the Schubert with a full concert programme was an excellent test for these young musicians. They passed with flying colours, this is what music tours are all about, taking the opportunity to lift the performances and move audiences with a freshness and vitality that only youth can bring to music. Simply stunning, and the standing ovation at the end ((led by a nun!) led to 3 encores. During Pemulwuy Mr. A’s baton went flying……but we all kept going.

It was a tired but very happy group of people who returned to Schupfheim by 10.30 p.m.

…… and it was still snowing……….

Salzburg to Schupfheim 9 December

SNOW, SNOW A WINTER WONDERLAND.

Prior to leaving Salzburg we had performed a Lunchtime Advent Recital in the Kollegienkirche right in the centre of town. To attract an audience we left the doors open. Our glorious music quickly attracted a huge crowd. Listeners were (again) moved to tears, compliments abounded, our German for Es ist ein ……….. ” was “wunderbar”. Close to the concert venue were the Christmas markets which took a real Barker hit prior to departure, keep your fingers crossed for some good pressies!

The trip from Salzburg to Luzerne-Schupfheim took in some spectacular snowy mountainscenery, and 4 countries – Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

We arrived in Schupfheim around 6.30 p.m., that last hour seemed to take for ever.

Students welcomed very warmly into the hosts homes…….. and then it began to snow!

Photos from Salzburg

Here are the photos from the two short days in Salzburg.

Photos from Prague

Here are some photos from Prague, including the three concerts, and also of the Old Town Square.

Monday 8 December – Salzburg

Hi,

Arrived safely last night around 6.30 p.m. to this very charming and historical city. The Youth Hostel is within 10 mins walk of the centre, so after putting our cases in rooms, we walked into town for dinner. A crisp clear evening, a chance to see the extensive Christmas market stalls. Very busy! This morning the students are currently having a guided tour of the main sights including the huge Collegiate Chapel where we will be peforming a short Advent Recital at 1.30 p.m. Following this they will then have some free time to shop and see more of Salzburg’s sights. We leave tomorrow morning to head to Suisse.

A brief up-date of our activities. On Saturday we had a sight-seeing tour of the centre of Prague, starting at the castle on the hill by the cathedral and then walking down across the historic Charles Bridge. It was very busy! 1000s of tourists, a public holiday for St. Nicholas. Busier than the summer tourist season.  Everyone had another chance to visit the Christmnas markets in the square – the local delicacies enjoyed by many. In the evening we saw Carmen at the State Opera Theatre. It all became a bit of a rush at the end as we got caught in a massive traffic jam in the centre of Prague. On Saturday we also celebrated 3 birthdays – Jon. Mui (held over from wednesday), Sascha Harris 17th & Jonathan Ward 18th!. It was also Carol and Ian Batey’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary!. They all had a memorable day.

Yestrdaywas also very memorable, with a performance of the Schubert Mass at the 9.30 a.m. Service. The whole thing was simply stunning. Choir and orchestra perched high in the gallery overlooking the cathedral, their glorious sounds filling the amazing Gothic Cathedral. Very, Very moving!

It was very entertaining having to climb up the narrow spiral stairs with the doublebass to get into position.

We’ve mangaged to edit out some great photos and with Ben Ho’s help will aim to get these posted very shortly.

Everyone in great spirits, Mr Bean video (and live performance) on the bus was great fun, even distracting the card players so that the ‘olds’ (Saffir & Batey) beat the ‘youngs’ (Morgan and G.Wells).

Weather not too cold, lots of snow though, red jackets proving indespensible keeping warm and identifying the tour group in amongst the huge crowds.

Love,

James A

Prague Friday 5 December

A Triumphant Start!

Over 1000 people were part of the two audiences at the first two concerts!

First at St. Nicholas Church over 500 locals crammed into the historic chapel for our recital. It was a stunning setting to commence the first of our 14 concerts. Whilst still feeling the effects of a 30 hour trip the musicians were received with acclaim by the discerning audience. A particular highlight for the Czechs was the peformance by the string quartet of the 1st movement of Dvorak’s “American” string quartet. The concert lasted for 1 hour, the students then taking the opportunity to visit the Xmas markets and sample some of the local cuisine.

We then travelled out into the country to the Church of the Holy Family at the hospice of Charles Bormomejsky. There were around 80 in the beautifully decorated chapel, but the concert was broadcast live to over 600 patients within the establishment. The acoustics were quite amazing amplifying our music and giving the performers amazing feedback.

Congrats to soloists today Milly Scott (who started us all off with Veni Emmanuel) and Lucy Terrell and Chris Rooleht in the Schubert Mass, Elicia Piry with the Veni Emmanuel  in the afternoon concert, and the consummate artistry of Jonathan Mui with the Solo Bach Allemande. I sat next to the Mother Superior during his performance, and she closed her eyes in contemplation and prayer as the music soared throughout the chapel.

Welcome sight seeing rest day today.

Ten Pin Bolwing champs are the Koalas Maura Allington  team Adelle, Chris Ogg, Mui x 2, Tommy Nicholls.

Photos and videos in hand hope to posts soon.

Love to all, missing you heaps!

Love,

James A.

Arrived in Dubai!

We’ve arrived in Dubai!

After a very smooth flight, we landed at 3:20 am local time. We are currently waiting for our flight to Vienna, which is scheduled to leave at 9:55am local time.

Here are some photos at the terminal.

A reminder on how to contribute to the blog

Just a small reminder that the blog will be used to update you on or progress though the Europe and the UK. If you would like to comment, you must register for an account by clicking ‘Register’ on the right. All you need is an email address. After you register, you can comment on any post. Thank you to those who have registered already.

Selected members of the tour party will be able to write posts. These people will be briefed during the wait for the plane at Sydney Airport.

Any questions can be directed to hohohob [AT] gmail [DOT] com .