To London

Just to prove how flexible a bunch we are, we've left behind the beaches of the Hebrides and the hills of the Highlands, and are on our way to London to play at the Proms. And, we are not only reunited with each other after our wind/strings schism of last week, we are augmented. We have for this concert 4 extra violins, 2 extra violas, cellos and basses, plus 3 trombones and a tuba. In case you're wondering, it's not organised this way on the off chance we suffer some losses at Terminal 5. It's the repertoire and the venue - the Albert Hall being a sizable place.

As you will see from the photo above, we are playing Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony. (Why didn't we do that in the Hebrides David?) Also Schumann's Piano Concerto (Nicholas Angelich on the piano) and the complete version of Stravinsky's Pulcinella (with Karen Cargill mezzo soprano, Andrew Staples tenor and Brindley Sherratt bass). You may also notice that the photo features the resting baton of conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin, who, presumably through his energy and brilliance, has bent it. (Images of Harry Potter now coming to mind.)