Matthew Barley/Cellist

Music is the hidden arithmetical exercise of a mind unconscious that it is calculating.

Leibniz

Rio de Janeiro…to Bristol

The transition was easier than you would imagine….having had a holiday in Brazil, in Rio and also a visit to the rainforest (well, sort of holiday – I borrowed a cello, and we found musicians and did a lot of playing of Jobim, Nascimento, Chico Buarque etc – wow, heaven), I returned to London only to leave for Bristol the following day to rehearse the Rococo Variations with the Bristol Ensemble. I can’t say I distinguished myself greatly in rehearsal, as I was so out of form for that kind of repertoire, but many hours practice later I was ready for the concert on the following day. I love playing in the Colston Hall – even though it’s a little shabby it’s so comfortable to play in, and the concert was really buzzy – I really love that band, such a good spirit. Maybe the most enjoyable bit was the encore where I asked the cellos and basses to hold a deep growly pedal for me, and I improvised around two tunes I’d learnt in the rainforest. It was so wonderful to close my eyes and just go back to the Brazil vibe…it’s all pretty intoxicating out there…planning a return trip already.

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