ABO Conference

Really enjoyed taking part in the ABO conference in Belfast yesterday on the
panel for Help Musicians. It was a very lively discussion on the importance
of the need to help musicians thrive throughout their playing careers. A
dedicated workforce, performing musicians necessarily give of their very
best at all times and many get injured on the way! It’s great to know that
orchestral management are now finding ways to help such as bringing physios,
councillors etc on board. Met many inspiring people and the overwhelming
common theme was a passionate desire to keep classical music alive!

A wonderful bonus too was hearing the Ulster Orchestra, on top form,
performing Shostakovich 4th symphony and the four last songs by Strauss. It
really was a magical performance! Dorothea Röschmann was sublime and the
Shostakovich was totally captivating under the electric baton of Raphael
Payare. The fortissimo interjections of wind and brass were like musical
fireworks!