Issue 8

Perfectly tuned insurance

FOLLOW YOUR HEART Featuring Aisa Ijiri Perfectly tuned insurance

01 8 12 Foreward from the Editor

Follow your heart – quite a theme for this issue of LARKmusic which applauds people who each follow a unique path in our world of music. We gasp in amazement in our cover story with 16 24 26 pianist Aisa Ijiri, whose talents seem never ending! Paul Bambrough also followed his heart to join the Purcell School and I am pleased to share his plans to lead the school into the future. Violin-maker John Topham makes our pages; he is a world-renowned dendrochronologist, who, after making his own ‘kit’ can reveal if you have a Strad or a dud! We also welcome Julia Bell as our guest writer with her imaginative view on the 1, 4-7 FOLLOW YOUR HEART relationship between art and contemporary music. Cover story: Pianist Aisa Ijiri reveals her musical journey We congratulate the Endellion String Quartet on Picture: John Davis As one of the leading musical their 40th anniversary and introduce someone instrument insurance brokers who is just starting out - our new Lark Scholar, in the world with more than 25 Vera Beumer, who at 17 has the world at her feet. 8-11 TALENT UNLIMITED years’ experience in our field, Lark Talking of youth, we also feature Talent Unlimited, Music is trusted by professionals A call for more support by founder Canan Maxton a charity run by music lover Canan Maxton and the and world-renowned musicians. testimonies from the young musicians who benefit 12-14 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE The Lark Music policy has are really heart warming. been specifically designed for Meet the new Purcell School principal Paul Bambrough I hope you enjoy this new-look issue and the musicians, and allows you to play exclusive features. If you have a story please your instrument with complete get in touch! 15 WE ALL WISH FOR A RESOLUTION peace of mind while the bespoke business insurance policy for Private Clients Director David Foster talks Brexit dealers is crafted with your individual needs in mind and can 16-17 MEET VERA provide cover for all of your stock, tools, materials, and machinery. Introducing our new Lark Scholar, Vera Beumer In addition, we realise our responsibility extends beyond 18 PLAY SAFE IN GIG ECONOMY insurance and pride ourselves on Why musicians playing gigs in public areas need cover our unique involvement in the arts through our support of a number of musical organisations. Julie Webb Client Director 20-23 MUSICAL NOTES Lark Music is a trading name [email protected] News on life at Lark Music of Aston Lark. This specialist division provides products to 24-25 LORD OF THE RINGS all audiences in music including musicians, collectors and dealers. Meet John Topham, the self-taught dendrochronologist The online quote and buy portal enables customers to buy 26-28 MUSIC AND CONTEMPORARY ART insurance 24/7 and is supported Julia Bell explores the relationship between art and music by dedicated individuals with extensive knowledge in the sector.

30 IN TUNE WITH HISTORY Visit astonlark.com Charlotte Barrett views the Bate Collection

2 FOLLOW YOUR HEART

It wasn’t until Aisa Ijiri came to Europe that the work of the great composers really touched her soul and she realised, in order to play Liszt and Chopin with true understanding, she would have to leave her Japanese homeland, writes Lesley Bellew

It might have been the feet of Aisa Ijiri course to honour advice from her beloved She is still friends with some of the gifted of Byron and Shakespeare, which in turn concert, a standing ovation, which was which propelled her to international grandfather, who told her “Follow your young Hungarian students who helped brought a meeting with a director keen to more than I had dreamt about since I was stardom. Instead, her lithe fingers, heart”. her to see music as a universal language, make a film inspired by her life. seven years old. I played three encores I remember drawing mesmerising music from as they played duets as well as solo pieces. and tears ran down my face. She recalls the chance, at the age of She has founded a music festival to offer “ keys on the world’s leading concert everything – stages, have earned prizes, acclaim, the 12, to take part in a festival at the Liszt “They were speaking Hungarian, German opportunities for youngsters in concerts, “My parents, and close friends from a sold-out concert, standing of becoming an official Steinway Academy in Budapest, Hungary, and and a little bit of English. In rehearsals masterclasses and workshops, which Japan, Serbia, Sweden and , who Artist and a tearful fulfilment of her says: “That trip changed my life. I visited we didn’t speak the same language but as was first held in Tokyo in 2016, then in meant so much to me on my journey, had a standing ovation, dream of performing at Carnegie Hall. where Liszt and Bartok had performed, soon as we started playing we understood Belgrade with the support of the Serbian travelled to be there. we could connect and we were laughing government. As artistic director, Aisa is which was more and saw their . I had masterclasses “At that moment I remembered words How many of the thousands of concert- so much. Many things in society divide us now launching the Montecatini Piano with a professor from the academy and a from my grandfather Isao Takei, who goers, enthralled each year by her but music always pulls us together. Festival, in Tuscany, Italy, from August than I had dreamt performance where Bartok had given his passed away when I was five. He was playing, realise that the feet springing 16 in collaboration with Municipal last concert.” “A competitive athlete’s career I might running quite a big company so I was about since I was from pedal to pedal once sprinted along Institution of Montecatini Terme and have had until I was 25, when the purpose proud of him. He had a driver who wore the athletics tracks of Japan with such Already nurturing a special love for Steinway & Sons Italia. seven years old. speed that a career as an Olympic 100m the music of Chopin, she had observed is always winning. With music I can have white gloves and people who opened I played three en- runner was a very real possibility? European culture through the internet a much richer life. That trip made it clear I All this is part of an ambition to grow his door for him. He was very tall and and television, but she said: “There should choose music.” as an artist after reaching her goal of everybody in the company bowed to him. cores and tears ran Also competing at national level in performing at New York’s Carnegie Hall swimming and figure skating, and a keen was this spirit, something in the air, Music has led to Aisa working on “But the day before he died, from a in 2017. down on my face” skier, the young Aisa might have seemed something from the people. We have to children’s programmes with Unicef and stroke, he was running around in this big destined for a life in sport – until music be there and feel it. I felt I had touched the on a cultural project for the European “It was an opening to a new chapter,” she house with me. He told me that day: brought her to Europe, and set her on soul of Liszt and his soul was inside me.” Commission, based around the writings said. “I remember everything – a sold-out ‘If you go to school you may want to →

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TRACKS OF AISA’S LIFE: Clockwise from top: The family home in Kyoto, Aisa in a 100m race, her first concert at Alti Hall, Kyoto; with her parents Katsumi and Yoko, and taking centre stage in Carnegie Hall, New York BACK TO FUTURE: Film shooting in Florence for the film AISA, Sonetto del Petrarca, directed by Marco della Fonte

be the best student or the prettiest girl too! I loved adventure so much, I had no thought I was so talented!” her Bachelor’s degree, she moved to of three grand pianos in the home where → but those things don’t matter – whatever fear.” → London after passing an audition for a her mother was a tutor – but her official Another happy coincidence was a you go through just follow your heart.’ I Masters course at the Guildhall School of association with the company was the Neither did she have much rest in her busy close friend of her uncle had a flat in didn’t understand, but I never forgot. At Music and Drama. childhood, reading music in the car as her Östermalm, Stockholm’s equivalent of silver lining to an initial mishap. that moment in Carnegie Hall I thought parents drove five hours from their home South Kensington, providing delightful Having observed Japanese cultural I had followed my heart. This was it, the A performance she was due to give at the in Kyoto for piano studies in Tokyo, then accommodation, and Aisa soon took to niceties, and adapted to social message he had been telling me.” Royal College of Music had to be moved, revising for school exams on the return European life, having to learn Swedish expectations in Sweden, she said: because of building work, to Steinway The daughter of a piano teacher, Aisa had journey. On one occasion she turned up quickly for essay and exam purposes. “London is a great place because there Hall, where her rehearsal was heard for a piano competition with hair still wet often shown individuality from an early She particularly enjoyed what she saw as are people of so many nationalities and by the company president, visiting on from a swimming gala earlier the same day age in largely conformist Japanese society, a more encouraging approach to study religious backgrounds. New York is a business from New York. Now she has – and won both events. preferring black bags and kimonos to her than she had experienced with a previous, great, exciting city, but when I was there I a Steinway Model A of her own, bought girlfriends’ pink, learning the unicycle As music took over, Aisa played at a more critical, eastern European tutors, missed the European culture.” from a warehouse clearance. with such skill that she could skip a rope Chopin festival in Warsaw and earned finally appreciating that her musical talent Associating with drama students at Aisa returns to Japan a few times each with it, and enjoying risky adventures. invitations to return. She said: “I loved so outstripped even her sporting prowess. the Guildhall was another stimulating year to visit the family who gave her so The first episode of the film much about Chopin. The piano helped me She says: “Most of the girls were into “I knew I was good at sports because and creative experience, and having AISA, Sonetto del Petrarca, share my most sensitive feelings.” much support, including her mother who Barbie dolls – I like Barbie, too, but I I was winning. In eastern European obtained an Artist Diploma from the made the dresses for her concerts. directed by Marco della needed more. I had great friends who The chance of a recital in Stockholm was teaching they follow traditions, which Royal College of Music Aisa is now an Fonte and presented by were boys and we used to go to the river, another turning point, as it happened has worked so well for me technically. My RCM ambassador, living in north London She said: “My mother is a loving, Lost Pictures, can be seen at climb up a rock and jump from a waterfall. to attract the Swedish Government and eastern European teacher was wonderful and enjoying making contacts in other wonderful woman, who is happy for me, https://vimeo.com/321853662 It was quite high and really scary. I was spheres, especially fashion, while her but when I was 11 I asked why she never other dignitaries attending the Nobel but very tough, and I didn’t feel I had a Montecatini Piano Festival, about seven and I loved it.” performances have been broadcast on said she was proud of me. She said pride Prize ceremony, and was followed by the talent because of the criticism. In Sweden Tuscany, Italy, runs from offer of a four-year scholarship to study in BBC television and radio, CNN Style and was not the point – ‘I am supporting you The boys landed a punishment for they are very open-minded for something August 16 -20, 2019 the city. new and gave me confidence in my in Europe. to become a great woman. I want to see climbing on the school roof, but Aisa ability.” my daughter as an inspiring lady, who I Visit escaped detection. “I was quite a good Aisa said: “I was 15 but, being Japanese, to Steinway has been part of her life since can become friends with’.” montecatinipianofestival. student so no teacher would think I was Swedish people I probably looked much Study visits to Berlin, Poland and she was a teenager, when her parents com one of them, although I had been up there, younger, maybe about eight or nine. They Hungary followed but, having completed bought her a Model B classic grand – one And friends they are.

6 7 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 CAN YOU HELP RUN TALENT UNLIMITED?

FOUNDER: Canan Maxton established the charity Talent Unlimited in 2010 to support gifted young musicians Picture: Keoghan Bellew 8 9 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8

An appreciation for music is a given. Organisational skills are a must. And the ability to “nag” would be a useful YUANFAN YANG: attribute for anyone willing to help run I am so happy to be part the charity Talent Unlimited which aims of the wonderful Talent Unlimited to encourage the progress of exceptional family and during my time here I young musicians. was fortunate to give a concert in the Set up in 2010 by Turkish-born teacher beautiful St James’s Church, Piccadilly. Canan Maxton, Talent Unlimited I am grateful to Canan for her provides support and financial aid to kindness, genuine support for young gifted students who lack the means to musicians, and her insightful advice on meet the level of fees at leading music the industry schools and colleges. Picture: Tiffany Graveling Photography Having established its success, Canan now wants to secure its future by SOPRANO NAZAN FIKRET: ensuring that there are other leaders in I’ve been part of the Talent Unlimited family for place to build on her foundations. many years. They helped and believed in me at a She says: “l want to involve musicians in very difficult time in my development as a young the running of Talent Unlimited. Apart singer. I will never forget their kindness and from the website, I do 90% of the work Emre Engin, one of the first Talent Unlimited musicians, said: “Talent Unlimited opened endorsement. so, if anything happens to me, there is unimaginable doors into my career. If it wasn’t for their support I couldn’t have become one nobody to fill my shoes.” of the five violinists chosen by Pinchas Zukerman for the Manhattan School of Music ALEKSANDAR PAVLOVIC: The charity, run entirely by volunteers, Picture: Ashley Chui In a world where artificial uses donations, concerts, conferences and intelligence is taking over, Ballet School because her parents could Canan said: “Emre asked me if he could other events to help the development of it is essential not to forget not afford to pay for extra lessons always video himself playing in my drawing young musicians. Lark Music supported the importance of arts and stuck in my memory. She was better room. He wanted to send the recording its January concert at Leighton House, human interaction and the to Pinchas Zukerman for an audition to Kensington. than most of her classmates, but she was strength we draw from them. poorer. Not fair, is it, when young talent is continue his studies at the Manhattan It is reassuring to know there Canan says: “My own business wasted?” School of Music. I told him that still are individuals who background is in education, literature and Zukerman would not be impressed by Inspired to help young people in similar understand this and support linguistics so I can communicate. In fact, the room but would listen to his playing. young artists. circumstances, she stresses that artistic I can nag people to death! He replied ‘Ahh, but I will play so much Such is Talent Unlimited, talent and practice needs to be backed better in that room!’ “If we employ music professionals to providing financial aid and up with business acumen. Of Talent all sorts of practical guidance. run the charity, then we do not have Unlimited, she says: “We never want to “Of course I let him play and record. the money to give the musicians. I That year Zukerman chose five students Being a pianist, I too benefit turn anyone away. Anyone who writes to from their support. prefer to run Talent Unlimited in such us, receives a reply, guidance or a simple for his course and Emre received a full JACK WONG: We are all grateful to Canan a way that we do not pay great sums for piece of advice even if we cannot take scholarship and was paid a good sum for his living expenses in New York. This As a conductor, concert violinist and pianist in my last Maxton for her really tireless administration. It would be best if we them into Talent Unlimited. We not only says something about him. After his year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama I am efforts and genuine help reserve our money for the needs of our give young musicians a platform but Master’s Degree Emre went to Yale where musicians. It is also excellent experience an opportunity to network and run a extremely grateful for the kind support, in particular, for them in their music and business life.” he is working on further studies with for my ensemble Hornton Chamber Orchestra business. a scholarship as well. He has also been Having attended Notre Dame de Sion “After their studies not all musicians appointed lead violin for an orchestra set High School in Istanbul, Canan – her where the musicians are providing the up in Istanbul she played the piano but, Erzhan Kulibaev and pianist Alim become soloists or orchestral players – up by Maestro Gurer Aykal in New York.” name is Persian, pronounced “Janan” – music. having decided her enjoyment of listening Beisembayev, both from Kazakhstan. many almost disappear, often because was greater than her natural ability, she Their extraordinary ability astounded the studied at Bosphorus University, also She gives the example of an “amazing” “I also tell our musicians to talk to people they do not have the experience to exercised her organisational skills by audience and confirmed the very reason in Istanbul, but left her home country Talent Unlimited conductor Jack Wong, at the concerts and always ask for their network and organise their own concerts. setting up a music club at Bosphorus why Talent Unlimited must continue long in 1968 to study German at the Goethe who set up an orchestra at the age of 19. business card. Institute and went on to the USA for They learn a lot at college but they need “That is extraordinary and not easy if you University. into the future. to put it into practice to learn how to run do not have the money. “Don’t be shy. When you have the card postgraduate work. Fast forward to 2010 when Talent At LARKmusic, we think the their lives in the music business. write on it when and where you met them Unlimited was launched at the University extraordinary messages from the She moved to London in 1971, and Jack is a brilliant musician. Not many and then if you want to invite them to a “Sometimes a musician who has come, say of London School of Oriental and African musicians in this feature pay testimony married an Englishman, and one of the musicians are capable of setting up an concert you can remind them of that.” motivations for her charitable work came third, in a music competition can go on to orchestra at the age of 19 and making it Studies and has attracted patrons like to Canan Maxton’s work and we hope from her time as a teacher in Wimbledon. become more famous than the winner. It work too.” Canan came from a music-loving family conductor Gürer Aykal, former British the charity can continue to support She says: “It was a ballet school where the is about how they promote themselves.” – her sister was a good pianist, her mother Ambassador to Turkey Sir Timothy Daunt talented and dedicated young musicians Canan says musicians need to be students also had to follow a high school sang Turkish classical songs and her and pianist Gülsin Onay. who devote their lives to performing Violinist Emre Engin was one of the recognised for their efforts and should education, and I used to teach French, opera-loving father had a fine tenor voice. wonderful music. first musicians to have received serious also be paid. She said: “It is not good The students in Talent Unlimited come English, history and other subjects. “He woke us up very early most mornings support from Talent Unlimited. He was at enough for some people to say ‘ we do not from all over the world and at Leighton If you are able give support or some with opera arias.” “The memory of a talented young the Royal College of Music for four years, have a budget for musicians’ when they House, in London, the recent Lark time to the charity please visit ballerina who could not enter the Royal studying with Rashkovsky. have a budget for waiters at a reception Like all upper-middle class girls growing Music-supported event featured violinist talent-unlimited.org.uk

10 11 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 It’s all about looking to the future says music school’s fifth head in six years A warmth and sense of community convinced tenor and organist Paul Bambrough to become principal of the celebrated Purcell School for Young Musicians, where he has plans to enhance its reputation for world-class tuition, writes Lesley Bellew BUILDING THE FUTURE: The Purcell School for Young Musicians, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, is Britain’s oldest specialist music school

He may be the fifth head in six years at largest A-Level music department were said to my mother ‘I want to go to church motivate the most unlikely people.” Purcell School, which in the past has featured in a BBC Radio 3 documentary this morning’.” Amid ‘great consternation Along with a new bursar, Adam attracted headline descriptions such as and earned the praise of the then in the house’ his mother accosted the Wroblewski, new director of music, ‘troubled’, but Paul Bambrough is focused Education Secretary Michael Gove. resident village nursing sister on her way former Rambert dance company music on the excellence of an institution to the service, and persuaded her to take He admits leaving Birmingham had not director Paul Hoskins, and two longer- decorated with awards for its pupils been an easy decision, but says of the the young Paul along. serving managers, he is now seeking to and alumni and for its distinguished Purcell School: “It’s a place that’s hard not introduce his own educational philosophy contribution to musical education. He recalled: “I was completely transfixed to fall in love with. by the sound of the organ, although I at the Purcell School. He said: “This is all about the future. “The thing that struck me most was a didn’t realise at that stage how terribly it He says: “One of the controversial things Whatever turbulence the school has real warmth and sense of community, was being played. I remember going up to I said in my first meeting with staff was been through in the past, one thing has and openness about the way people the organ console at the end of the service that describing us as a specialist music remained consistent – that it has provided interacted. I thought ‘This is quite and being fascinated with all the buttons school does sort of suggest that you do world-class musical tuition. special’.” and the keys.” the music very well and pay lip service to “What we are determined to do, the rest. I’m much more comfortable with The school’s accolades include the Impressed by his enthusiasm, the vicar particularly as a very new management our name, the Purcell School for Young UNESCO Mozart Medal and being allowed him to spend hours in the church, team, is to look to the future, to not Musicians, so that the whole school recognised as the first centre of as he taught himself to play the organ and reinvent what the Purcell School is about experience is as important. excellence for piano tuition by Paolo read music. but to reassert what the school has always Fazioli, founder of Fazioli Pianoforte – the “We have the advantage of having highly been about and make people aware that At just 13, having enjoyed seeing a school’s four superb Fazioli Italian pianos gifted, highly talented, motivated kids what’s going on here is absolutely unique production of HMS Pinafore, he are insured, like its other instruments, and it’s easy to add value to that with and distinctive.” recruited and conducted older villagers the finest teachers, the finest musicians, with Lark Music. It also has a series of in their own Gilbert and Sullivan opera, The Purcell School is Britain’s oldest the finest industry experts and they FULL OF CONFIDENCE: Paul Bambrough says ‘We have the advantage of having highly Good Schools Guide awards and an effectively founding a company which is specialist music school, having been immediately lap that up. The harder gifted, highly talented, motivated kids and it’s easy to add value to that with the finest teachers, excellent record for its pupils in the BBC still running, and three years later he was founded by violinist and teacher part is to tackle everything else and to the finest musicians, the finest industry experts and they immediately lap that up’ Young Musician of the Year competition. heard playing at a concert and referred Rosemary Rapaport and her friend make them understand they will be far Ironically, Mr Bambrough describes his to John Marsh, director of music at the Irene Forster in London in 1962. Named better artists eventually if they are better with almost a third from overseas. principal in September last year. own musical journey, self-taught during a renowned church of St Mary Redcliffe since 1973 in honour of composer Henry historians, mathematicians and scientists, Wiltshire childhood and comprehensive in Bristol. Purcell, and relocated in 1997 to Bushey, Mr Bambrough, a tenor, pianist, organist He had been vice-principal at the because art is only ever a comment on our school education, as the antithesis of that Hertfordshire, the co-educational and harpsichordist, who has performed Royal Birmingham Conservatoire He said: “There began probably the most existence. taken by most Purcell pupils. boarding and day school now has at leading halls and cathedrals, including and, previously, director of music at important musical influence of my life. “Being a musician is about being human about 180 instrumentalists, singers and concerts with the likes of The Three Farnborough Sixth Form College, where “I woke up one morning when I was nine John became a mentor and friend. He had and being human is about having an composers aged 10 to 18, as its students, Tenors and Sir Willard White, became his achievements in creating the country’s and I heard the church bells ringing and I this incredible charisma and ability to understanding of the world.” →

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BREXIT UPDATE News from David Foster Private Client Director We all now wish for a resolution The Purcell School’s past pupils include pianist Martin James Bartlett, harpist Anne Denholm and jazz pianist Jacob Collier → He replies to parents concerned about the so we can academic side in case their children ‘can’t play one day’ by saying: “The question should be what happens if they do play one day and they’ve got nothing to say? “It’s the great artists get on with “It’s the great artists who have this incredible intellectual curiosity that asks questions, who read politics and who have this incredible philosophy. That informs their art.” our lives As well as the orchestral disciplines, the intellectual curiosity that school offers voice, composition and jazz tuition, with ensembles including orchestras, chamber groups, choirs, a asks questions, who read big band and a jazz band, while students often form folk, rock or electronic groups politics and philosophy. and barbershop quartets. At the time of writing, Brexit remains from our office. However, if as prolonged period of uncertainty in terms The school, whose patrons are HRH the That informs their art.” a cause of uncertainty for businesses seems likely there is a transition period of what post Brexit life will look like and Prince of Wales and Sir Simon Rattle, also throughout Europe, with the UK unsure following a deal, we will continue to the ways in which it will affect musicians takes pride in its outreach programme, and divided over the nature of its future handle business from London until such travelling and working throughout with students delivering music workshops relationship with the EU. time as Brexit happens. Europe. for other youngsters or collaborating on As you can imagine Lark Music has been projects with other schools, while Purcell like anything that is politically controlled, Re-emphasising his commitment to As part of our planning, I’ve had a couple Whatever your view of the rights or musicians perform at venues including planning for the Brexit contingency of trips to Dublin to start building wrongs of Brexit, I think we all now wish it’s not a guarantee. It’s quite possible that avoiding “false barriers” between music for sometime, and we were recently the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall and our team, and meet new colleagues at for a resolution to the various issues, so a future government might say ‘We’ve got tuition and the other arts, science and delighted to complete the purchase of Wigmore Hall, and at events including Robertson Low. that we can all get on with our lives and better uses for this money’.” maths subjects, Mr Bambrough says: Dublin based broker Robertson Low. the Deal Festival, in Kent. “No child lives in a vacuum. Education is talk about something else! Despite mainly seeing the inside of a Entry is based upon musical ability, with With past pupils including pianist Martin about people and everyone has different This is great news for our business as it means that irrespective of the outcome recruitment office, taxi and an airport, Having an office in Dublin is an exciting bursaries available from the school and, James Bartlett – BBC Young Musician of strengths and weaknesses. of Brexit, Lark Music remains able and we did find the time to catch up with our opportunity for the wider Aston Lark for UK pupils, through the government’s the Year 2014 – the official harpist to the “What’s really exciting is when you try to committed to look after our clients in the new colleagues over a pint of Guinness business, and we see many opportunities Music and Dance Scheme, and another Prince of Wales Anne Denholm, Grammy merge all of those. Who knows, maybe European Union. and dinner! to expand our presence in Ireland and of Mr Bambrough’s ambitions is a award- winning jazz pianist Jacob Collier at the Purcell School we can foster a the EU. fundraising campaign. and Oscar and BAFTA nominated film completely new educational model.” If the UK does eventually leave the As well as the business community, those EU, we will look after our EU clients that work in the musical arts have faced a So Slainte ! He says: “We’re incredibly grateful for composer Mica Levi, the school has a lot For more information and concert what the government makes available but, of positive history to live up to. dates visit purcell-school.org

14 15 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 Meet violinist Vera, our talented Aston Lark Scholar, age 17

Vera Beumer is so thrilled by being at the professors Gabrielle Lester and Daniel the college. I have met three other Dutch Royal College of Music (RCM) that she Rowland, the latter, by neat coincidence, students, violinists and a cellist.” can barely contain her excitement. having spent childhood years in the Vera, who plays a 1760 Landolfi violin Life at the RCM has not matched the Netherlands, with periods studying in Amsterdam and Brussels. on loan from a Dutch foundation, hopes of violinist Vera Beumer – it has previously studied at the University of considerably exceeded them. She says: “It is amazing to have two the Arts Utrecht and was featured in a “I had high expectations of the RCM, teachers, two influences, so I can take the documentary as a pupil of distinguished but it is so much better,” enthuses the best from both of them.” violinist Emmy Verhey. teenager from the Netherlands, who Vera was concertmaster with the Dutch Vera has also performed as an orchestral has been awarded this year’s Aston Lark Youth String Orchestra for two years soloist – the first time at the age of 11 – Insurance Scholarship. from September 2016, and keeps in touch and as first violinist in a string with old friends, admitting that it was a “Everything they do has a personal touch, quartet. even though they have such massive heart-breaking decision to leave in search projects. What has really impressed me of what she saw as an opportunity for As for the future, despite insisting she is the care – the college cares about you an even better musical education in is not a fan of competitions, she intends personally. I did not expect that in a big London. to enter more for the sake of experience school where everyone is so good.” “As a concertmaster I tried to not nag. and setting goals. She said: “I want Vera, who started playing the violin at That’s only necessary when someone to go outside the college, after all, you the age of seven, is emerging as no small keeps making a wrong note!” she says. have to know the real world, and I may talent herself, having already won the “Here, if I was a concertmaster, I would be doing a recording soon. I would like Dutch national Princess Christina prize not need to say anything, everyone is too to be in an orchestra and, eventually, a and, in the UK, the Benjamin Britten good! concertmaster.” International Violin Competition. “The music world is so big, it scares me a Where would she aim? She laughs: “The At the RCM she is studying with violin bit, but there are so many nationalities at London Philharmonic Orchestra!”

“I had high expectations of the RCM but it is so much better. Everything they do has a personal touch, even though they have such massive projects”

17 Perfectly tuned insurance Play safe in the gig economy Assistant Account Handler Charlotte Barrett explains how musical instrument insurers are changing to meet needs of the gig economy

With the bonus of a neat pun, the ‘gig Today’s usage has become more manage their insurance policies from economy’ – now handy jargon for associated with the business models of anywhere, on any device and at any time. politicians and financial pundits – is an companies such as Uber and Airbnb, and Lark Music can provide online cover idea that would have been recognised by it is estimated that five million people in for a wide range of instruments, up to a musicians throughout the ages. the UK are employed in the gig economy. value of £500,000, while insurance for Your go-to The term, coined at the height of the With so many musicians playing gigs in anything valued at more than this can be financial crisis in early 2009, refers public areas, including bars or smaller arranged by phone. The team takes pride to workers in casual or part-time jobs locations that may not traditionally have in adapting personalised advice to clients without healthcare assurance, pensions been used as venues, it is becoming more interested in today’s more technologically solution for or paid holiday – sound familiar? important they cover themselves for any driven and globalised form of freelancing. Certainly, the flexibility and freedom of injury or damage that may be caused in When J.S. Bach was asked how he had such a lifestyle has its attractions, but it the hubbub of loading equipment, sound- mastered music to such a high degree, does have risks for musicians which can checking and performing. his response was: “I was obliged to Film & Media be addressed with help from insurers. Lark Music provides clients with the be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well”. Oddly, the origin of the word ‘gig’ in ability to quickly buy affordable Public its musical sense is unknown, though Liability cover of up to £5 million, Not only does this quotation point to the according to the English providing essential protection for legal diligence and discipline engendered by Insurance Dictionary it may have its roots in gigue, a liability arising from injury or damage, musicians, but it also serves as a reminder lively dance form of Italian origin, or from which could result from someone tripping that insurers must continue being the Old French term giguer, to dance. over a wire or stand, or a musician industrious in their efforts to provide accidentally dropping an instrument. flexible and wide-ranging coverage for their It was not until 1926 that the British music musical clients, so that they remain up to magazine Melody Maker made the first use ‘Millennials’ choosing to opt out of the Whether you are in Production or Post-production; date with the modernised world of music. of ‘gig’ referring to a ‘musical engagement’, traditional workforce expect quick and are a freelancer or an Equipment Hire company, where it is used by jazz musicians in the easy online access to insurance, and Lark For more information contact we can help you choose the right cover for your story “One Popular Gig Band Makes Use Music offers a quote and buy system that Charlotte at charlotte.barrett@ of a Nicely Printed Booklet”. gives them the ability to buy, renew and larkmusic.com particular needs.

0208 256 4931 @performanceins

What matters to you, matters to us.

www.performance-insurance.tv Lark Music provides clients with the ability to quickly buy affordable Public Liability cover of up to £5 million

Performance is a trading name of Aston Lark Limited. Aston Lark Limited are authorised and regulated by the FCA. 18 Registered in England and Wales No: 02831010 Registered office: Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY. Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 MUSICAL NOTES News from Julie Webb Private Client Director

WHEN OPERA MET INSURANCE: At Lloyd’s of London: Clockwise from top: Clare Hyland and Netty Isserlis; Nick Sears with Katy Thomson NOW and THEN: The Endellion String Quartet in 1979, starting out with original member Louise Williams and now – Andrew Watkinson, and Harry Thatcher; the students take an encore; Gillian Newson with Joel Williams; Michael Rosewell, Josephine Goddard and Timothy Edlin Ralph de Souza, Garfield Jackson and David Waterman. The 40th anniversary cake was presented after the Wigmore Hall concert

Music – breakfast, lunch and dinner, that’s Led by Nick Sears and working under Benjamin Britten, Yehudi Menuhin and Congratulations! Prussia Cove with Louise Williams who Foundation supports young musicians been my story and it was at a garden party the artistic direction of Sir Thomas Sir . She definitely ‘had a played 2nd violin. Louise and I have been who need fine instruments to continue It was a wonderful evening celebrating with Nick Sears, Head of Opera at the Allen, students Theodore Platt, Julieth thing’ for Stravinsky! connected via the Harrison-Frank Family their career. Lozano, Harry Thatcher, recently the Endellion String Quartet’s 40th Foundation but I had not realised the Royal College of Music, that we toyed Many of her works have been gifted to the A concert by those young players graduated Josephine Goddard, Lauren anniversary and their Wigmore Hall Endellion connection until this concert. with idea of how to combine opera with RCM and it was a lovely evening to see was rather moving so thank you and Joyanne Morris, Katy Thomas, Thomas concert featured superb renditions of What a small circle this music world is. insurance. some of the works and to hear pieces of the congratulations to the young players who Edlin, Joel Williams and accompanist Haydn, Bartok and Beethoven – all pieces period. Thank you for the invitation! put on such a tremendous concert. A little seed of an idea soon saw 70 guests Joseph Ramadan were nothing short of they included in their repertoire in the More celebrations attend a concert in the Lloyd’s of London amazing and I extend my thanks for such Nicky’s masterclass early years. I saw Louise Williams again at the Here are the name checks – Hatty Haynes, Joana Ly, Lieve Starker, Shi Ling Old Library with a dazzling performance a thrilling performance. I loved the encore, Happy Birthday Harrison-Frank Family Foundation fifth Chin and Boglarka Gyorgy, violin; Alice by the RCM Opera Studio. I popped over to see ’s Ramble, by Netty Isserlis. anniversary concert, hosted by Elisabeth The Gift of Music Earll, baroque violin; Heather Stuart masterclass at Menuhin School and sat with It was commissioned by the Endellions and Bob Boas in their London home. Guests were not only surprised by the It was a real treat – and the first time and Christopher Cohen, violin Antoine Milein Cosman was an eminent and the students in the Hall which was a joy. for their fifth birthday, and I bet they historic panelled room inside architect Three early teens performed in front of their that Richard Harrison had watched the Picton, piano; Ionel .and Djumash prolific artist, who died at the end of didn’t think, at that time, they would be Norman Foster’s iconic 1970s stainless peers and learnt from alumni Nicky who musicians play on instruments loaned Poulsen, violin and Henrietta Hill, viola; 2017 aged 96. She worked on many be playing it again for their 40th. steel structure but impressed by the commissions for publishers, magazines made them feel comfortable and made them by the foundation. In our last issue Agata Daraskaite and Magdalena Loth- students’ unique and polished extracts and newspapers, sketching mostly from consider not just perfect notes but presence The concert programme featured a of LARKmusic we highlighted how Hill, violin; The Maxwell String Quartet, from Marriage of Figaro. life and her many subjects included and communicating to an audience. picture of the quartet 40 years ago at Richard’s Harrison-Frank Family Scott Lowry, Emma Pantel, Oscar →

20 21 larkmusic.com LARKmusic MUSICAL NOTES News from Julie Webb Private Client Director ‘Delight’ as Lark Music → Perks and Katherine Waller, violin. Richard said he was overwhelmed by the occasion and the quality of the music performed by the musicians, many of joins the Worshipful whom are becoming well-established UK and international soloists. London Sinfonietta Lark Music sponsored the Steve Reich: company of Musicians Music for 18 Musicians at Royal Festival Hall. And what a night it was and so We are proud to announce that Lark Music great to see our banner in front of a full has joined the Worshipful Company of capacity crowd. Musicians, the only City of London Livery The Clapping music was a little taster Company representing the performing and I found it amazing how the two arts. guys ‘doing the clapping’ didn’t get distracted. We feel that becoming part of a 500-year- old Livery Company, whose members Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians has are all connected with music through become one of the most iconic works performance, instrument-making, of American minimalism and we teaching, publishing, law and finance experienced this absorbing music of means and we fit very nicely in to this pulsating rhythms, cyclical chords and world. shifting harmonics performed by some of his finest interpreters in the world. The Worshipful Company of Musicians was formed in 1500, as the Musicians’ Ryan at Snape Maltings Company, and gained its Royal Charter Our relationship with Snape Maltings from King James I in 1604. continues to blossom and as part of the Aldeburgh Festival, Ryan Wigglesworth One of its leading aims is to encourage will conduct the Knussen Chamber talent through schemes such as the Collard Orchestra at an Aston Lark-supported Fellowship, which offers financial grants concert on June 11. for young professionals facing difficulties, Joe Shiner inspires pupils at Hargrave Park School in, London Picture Adrian Mumford and Glyndebourne’s John Christie Award The concert also features soprano Claire – whose winners include Alfie Boe – while Booth and tenor Mark Padmore. its service awards recognise lifetime The Clerk of the Worshipful Company “This year our Yeomen will give more Music will include Oliver Knussen’s last contributions to music. of Musicians, Hugh Lloyd, said he was than 75 performances at venues from work O Hototogisu! which was premiered ‘delighted that having been a long-standing the Wigmore Hall, where the Company at the 2017 Aldeburgh Festival, its seven The Company also promotes musical customer of Lark Insurance, Aston organises its own concerts every year, to haiku settings interspersed with the bird- education through concerts and outreach Lark Limited was joining the Musicians’ major music festivals across the country. like song of a solo flute. programmes, covering classical to jazz, Company as Corporate Members’. brass and pop, supported by income from “Our Young Artists also take part in There are more miniatures from Knussen endowments, gifts and legacies. Hugh added: “Every year the Company an Outreach Programme, taking music (transcription of Scriabin piano pieces) gives more than £250,000 for a range of into primary schools mainly in the inner and music by Britten, plus the composer’s A range of concerts organised annually awards, scholarships and medals. The London boroughs that have little or no great friend Takemitsu. by the company include Bach cantatas, awards make a real difference to the lives music provision and include some special summer jazz and a carol service, while of outstanding young singers, composers needs schools. In 2017/18, 40 of our young The programme is completed by a new Elgar’s Elegy is one of the manuscripts in and instrumentalists as they make the artists made 166 visits to 46 London state tribute from composer-conductor Ryan, its extensive historic archives. transition from study to a professional primary schools reaching 8,500 children.” and Schubert’s elegant and high-spirited career ranging from Classical Music to symphony No 5 28’. Private Client Director Julie Webb said: Jazz, Music Theatre, Popular Music, Brass Under the motto Preserve Harmony – Well, I just can’t wait and if you are “We are passionate about music and music Bands and the Military Schools of Music. and based since 2013 at Guildhall School interested in joining me email charlotte. education so Lark Music’s corporate of Music and Drama, the company has [email protected] membership will go towards supporting “In addition to their award, our winners developed partnerships with schools, an Outreach Programme our Yeomen join the Company on a Young Artists colleges, universities and conservatoires, Young Artists provide and in particular, programme for five years. This entitles fulfilling the philanthropic ambitions the work that the programme does with them to be considered for a range of of a leading member in the 19th special needs schools in Ealing and performance opportunities, a top priority century, the music publisher William RyanWigglesworth will conduct at Snape Maltings on June 11 Picture: Benjamin Ealovega Swiss Cottage.” as they seek to become known. Chappell.

22 23 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 Lord of the rings When John Topham considers a Ring Saga, the works of Wagner may not be at the forefront of his mind, writes Julie Webb As a researcher into the creation of the world’s finest violins, he has pioneered the use of computer analysis with dendrochronology – the science of tree-ageing – in helping to determine the history of instruments. IT’S ALL ABOUT PRECISION: John Topham explains his painstaking work to Julie Webb In particular, his examinations of growth and right, a copy of his pattern and examples of violins he has examined rings in violin wood has led to more authoritative attributions of instruments thought to have been crafted by the didn’t even speak German, although at John’s achievements quickly led to Italian master Antonio Stradivari. that young age, after about three months, his reputation spreading, resulting in I picked up enough of the language to get research commissions from all over the The highlight so far of his work, as what by. world. He has now analysed more 100 making sure of your data and labelling the late wood’s growth is narrower, but John might be termed a ‘ringing detective’ Stradivari violins from the period 1666- sequences you measure precisely, so then suspected that previous researchers who was the affirmation that a violin in the “Carpentry was an attractive option for 1736, most of the maker’s working life. they become references for future work.” had examined the direction of growth Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and known me – I was good at woodwork, maths from the outside to the middle were majestically as The Messiah, is almost and science – but there was music in my He said: “It is something that has always Reading research papers on violin wrong – and when he reversed the data it certainly a Stradivarius, despite some family, too. My mother studied at the fascinated me and every year, when I go dendrochronology published from matched his own. experts’ doubts over its origins. Royal College of Music and played the to Cremona, I ask the same question: Hamburg University, and a query from a dealer, inspired him to explore the subject John said: “Charles Beare, who is one of violin, viola and keyboards. ‘Why are Antonio Stradivari’s violins so He and collaborators like Derek further, combining his violin-making the most respected violin experts in the superior?’ McCormick, and violin restorer Peter “At Mittenwald you pass your exams to and maths skills, and his general love of Ratcliff, are careful to stress the limits world, was sure this particular violin was “Of course, there are many contributing become a qualified apprentice and I came woodwork. of dendrochronology, in particular for a Strad.” back to the UK to work at Withers. For factors for the quality – craftsmanship, perhaps the varnish recipe, the treatment “I just became really interested,” he said. detecting fakes, and warn that future His conclusion was detailed in a report about six years I made viola da gambas forgers might try to source wood from, published in the Journal of Archeological and repaired violins for six years and then of the wood or perhaps the characteristics “I built my own ‘kit’ to measure the lines of the spruce, picea abies, he used for the in wood. It’s simply a measuring table for instance, old Alpine chalets, to try to Science, with violin maker Derek became self-employed.” match that used in genuine masterpieces. McCormick, in which he said: “The date front. with a device that measures the distance In the mid-1980s, John studied with and moves precisely up to 100ths of a of the front of The Messiah is entirely However, Ratcliff did tell Nature the Open University for the maths and “Were those trees supplied during millimetre and has a x16 magnification. consistent with the attributed date of magazine in 2014 that the technique had science degree which gave him the skills the mini-Ice Age, in the 15th to 19th manufacture. “I place the violin rest against the detected at least two violins, previously to develop his own computer program. centuries, and so have unique structural properties?” machine and shine a light on the surface attributed to Stradivari, which could “The front of the Messiah strongly He said: “I had my own console, learned not have been made before 1920, while cross-matches the wood of two other to see the grain, pattern and lines. I the basic language and how to analyse His research suggests that while some others had soared in value after their undisputed Stradivari violins of the same then use the computer to analyse the data. I had written this rather crude violin makers were consistent in their soundboards were matched to trees period.” results and print them into a series of I just became really software and thought it would never choice of wood, others, including measurements. I am always looking known to have been used by the master. work, or it would all go wrong.” Stradivari, were less predictable, and the “ John learned to make violins at at matches and looking for consistent John also observes that the technique interested. I built Germany’s prestigious Mittenwald School quality of their instruments depended at However, when John began examining patterns.” is more precise than carbon dating and, when, at 17, he was the only student from least as much on craftsmanship than any my own ‘kit’ the growth rings on the bodies of wooden in a 1997 article headed The Ring Saga the UK. particular characteristics of the timber. Basic assumptions are that a tree ring is instruments, his system proved invaluable formed once a year – at the beginning of he and McCormick wrote: “If a positive to measure the lines He said: “In the late 1960s, it was possible in analysing the results and producing In compiling his database of musical a year’s growth the tree produces cells. dendrochronological dating of a piece of in wood.” to get in to that school but now there are graphs which compared the ageing dendrochronology, he explains: “You have The first period, from March, produces wood is achieved it is absolute … there is hundreds of applicants for each place. I processes revealed. to start off being as consistent as possible, full-width cells, then from autumn the no plus or minus, or margin of error.”

24 25 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8 Music meets modern art

ART ADVISORY: Parapluie Director Julia Bell Janet Cardiff Forty Part Motet 2012 Guest writer Julia Bell considers the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art relationship between art and music Picture courtesy of Colin Davidson and Baltic

The relationship between art and music surrendered control into the hands of noises performers created via a range of pre-opening programme and revisited as hear individual voices and understand the The soundtrack to Glenn O’Brien’s film has always been intertwined and the chance. domestic and mechanical appliances. part of its 10th Anniversary programme layers and complexity in greater nuance. Downtown 81 featured music by Basquiat source of inspiration on both sides but in in 2012. The work entitled The Forty Part and his band GRAY. Duchamp’s friend John Cage (1912-1992) The sounds already present in the particular for contemporary artists. Motet recreated ‘Spem in Alium’ (Hope Music played a strong part in the creative known for his avant-garde percussion and Armory were also amplified with those In 1983 a 12-inch single containing two in Any Other), a renaissance choral piece processes of American artist Jean-Michel The ability to create emotive experiences electroacoustic compositions also pushed sourced from radio and telephone versions of the same track “Beat Bop” composed by Thomas Tallis in 1570. Basquiat (1960-1988). Not only did he that embrace the viewer through the the boundaries between art, music and communications and the brainwaves of was produced by Basquiat and featured listen incessantly to jazz as he created reference of music within contemporary performance. One of his most celebrated Cage’s collaborators on stage and sounds This piece is considered to be one of the hip hop artists Rammellzee and K-Rob. work, he also created music himself art enables artists to tap into our senses works was his performance of Variations triggered by performers walking by the greatest pieces of early English music and One side had vocals and the other through his Noise rock band GRAY, in multiple ways. Music and art draws VII as part of 9 Evenings: Theatre and photocells under the parallel platforms in originally involved eight choirs of five instrumental. named after the book, Gray’s Anatomy on similar creative sensibilities and Engineering at the 69th Regiment the Armoury where sculpture also served voices each. Cardiff’s recreation consisted (a gift from his mother as a young child) A limited press and the single’s cover therefore the boundaries between the Armory in New York in 1966. as part of the set. All created an unfiltered of40 loudspeakers placed in an oval that was a constant source of inspiration featuring artwork by Basquiat ensured two are often blurred. The tension cacophony of live noises all deemed of arrangement within an empty minimal This live unpredictable performance was within his paintings. these editions were highly sought after between composition and creative chance equal importance. (This pioneering work space with no visual distractions, the inspired by the principle of randomness by collectors. Around a similar period, also makes for fertile ground and this was recreated in February 2008, with the emphasis being on the audio experience. in selecting materials for it. These widely The music Basquiat created blended punk rock band Black Flag was formed by isn’t just something that applies to the UK Premiere performance of John Cage’s sourced sounds were brought together at Each speaker plays back a recording ambient and jazz and a form of avant- the brother of artist Raymond Pettibon. contemporary. Variations VII which took place as part of once from locations outside of the venue, of each of the 40 voices covering bass, garde music called No Wave that Pettibon was bass player and designed the AV Festival). In 1913 Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) transistor radios intercepted shows and baritone, tenor, alto and soprano from the developed within the downtown New band’s logo and his artwork continued to collaborated with his sisters to produce interference between stations and 10 The composition of sound, as an audio Salisbury Cathedral Choir singing ‘Spem York City art and music scene during appear on Black Flag’s album covers and a musical composition with notes drawn telephone lines picked up noise across installation experience as opposed to a in Alium’. With 40 speakers the boundary the late 70s. Artists and musicians merchandise. He also designed an album from a hat called Musical Erratum. New York alongside Geiger counters visual one, was also the basis of a work by between performers and audience experimented with funk, free jazz, noise, cover for Sonic Youth and transitioned This piece created through random whose signals were converted into Janet Cardiff, commissioned by BALTIC diminishes so the visitor can experience atonality and dissonance to create work successfully into the contemporary selection had a performative process that sounds and microphones amplified the Centre for Contemporary as part of its the piece from within the performance, in reaction to punk rock. art scene. →

26 27 Perfectly tuned insurance Issue 8

This transition to contemporary art also → applied to John Cage in the last 15 years of his life and extended to how he designed the layout of his work in exhibitions. Cage’s art was the focus of Hayward Touring Exhibition John Cage: Every Day is a Good Day in 2010. Visual and musical collaborations so prevalent during the days of vinyl continues in new ways. Music forms a personal soundtrack to our lives, it can have a particular resonance to specific times in our life, giving us an alternative religion, which is why it, too, is so often a source of inspiration for artists. Over the last 15 years British artist Graham Dolphin has explored fandom through his work, producing beautifully crafted works in drawing, sculpture, sound and video. This intimate relationship fans have with popular music, which moves into idolatry once the artist is deceased, provides rich source material for his artistic practice. In 2016 his work was the focus of a major survey by Northern Gallery for Contemporary in Sunderland where alongside his work a soundtrack was composed about Dolphin for the exhibition created by musician Jad Fair. ABOVE and BELOW: Graham Dolphin’s Thriller BOSS Black, Ink on material, dimensions variable Courtesy of the artist and Hugo Boss Fair responded to the request by Dolphin who issued a brief description of himself to the musician from which to create a new song encouraging the act of fandom to himself. In 2018 an exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery, Michael Jackson: On the Wall explored the impact singer had on artists, starting with Andy Warhol who referenced Jackson as early Perfectly tuned insurance as 1982. Since then and even in death, Jackson features in many contemporary artists’ work. Because helping even the Graham Dolphin was one of the artists who was commissioned to create works for this exhibition. One of the works youngest musician strikes a based on the original white Hugo Boss suit worn by Jackson on the cover of his 1983 album Thriller. A version was chord with us produced by Boss to Dolphin’s exact measurements and turned into a new Our Music policy has been carefully designed to allow you to enjoy playing your instrument artwork by Dolphin painstakingly with complete peace of mind, whatever your age. Lark Music is focused on protecting your handwriting them across the entire suit. possessions and supporting the musical arts.

Julia Bell is founder and Director of Parapluie. The company guides and connects clients to contemporary art through a range of professional services. Visit parapluieart.com www.larkmusic.com

Lark Music is a trading name of Aston Lark Limited Registered in England and Wales No: 02831010. Registered office: Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY 29 28 Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Perfectly tuned insurance In tune with history Steal a Skull, Examine a Genius; Stories from the Bate Collection by Assistant Account Handler Charlotte Barrett

An association might seem unlikely between Haydn’s skull, Oliver Cromwell’s trumpeter, the Battle of Waterloo, and Handel’s harpsichord, yet all have contributed significantly to the remarkable Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, part of the Faculty of Music Insurance for at the . The collection displays more than 1,000 period instruments, many of which are still played by students, plus there are portraits and interesting your most prized miscellaneous items. However, while THE BATE COLLECTION: It is the most comprehensive in Britain with more than 2,000 the earliest surviving English trumpet, European woodwind, brass and percussion instruments – half are on display. Philip Bate gave made by Cromwell’s state trumpeter, a his collection of European woodwind musical instruments to the University of Oxford in 1968 military serpent played at Waterloo, and with a condition that they can be played by students Picture: Stuart Bebb Handel’s harpsichord could be viewed as typical, if intriguing, exhibits in such an genius of great men could be explained Eventually, Rosenbaum foisted a different possessions environment, the plaster cast of Haydn’s by phrenology – 18 years later, a similar skull on Prince Esterházy. Rosenbaum skull brings to mind the title of his 1775 attempt was made on the body of Ludwig left the real skull to Peter in his will; Peter opera The Unexpected Encounter. van Beethoven. gave it to his physician Karl Heller, from whom it went to a Professor Rokitansky. The morbid story behind the real skull’s Your home is often Haydn’s head was stolen by the In 1895 the professor gave it to the Vienna journey around Austria was revealed gravedigger on June 4, but due to the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (Society by Andrew Lamb, the manager of the the most expensive hot weather the head had decomposed of the Friends of Music). The musicologist collection, when I visited. He explained considerably in the few days it had been Karl Geiringer, who worked at the Society that several plaster copies of Haydn’s purchase you’ll make underground. Fortunately, after mac- before Hitler’s coming to power, would on skull had been sent to centres of musical eration of the head and bleaching of the occasion proudly bring out the relic and excellence, including Oxford, in the 1920s. so it’s essential it is skull, Peter and Rosenbaum were able to show it to visitors. When Joseph Haydn died on May 31, confirm their theory on Haydn’s ‘bump correctly insured. 1809, Austria was at war and Vienna was of music’ on his cranium. It was not until 1954 that the skull finally occupied by Napoleon’s troops, and thus Peter kept it in his private collection at his made its way back to the resting place of Haydn’s remains, 145 years after it his funeral was a rather simple affair, home for several years, on proud display had originally been taken. The skull Speak to our award-winning and his burial took place in the modest to his visitors, before bestowing his entire was transferred in a splendid ceremony Private Clients division to ensure Hundsturm cemetery in Gumpendorf, skull collection on Rosenbaum. his local parish. Shortly after, two from the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde your assets are properly covered. men contrived to sever and steal the In 1820, Haydn’s old patron, Prince to a marble tomb in the Bergkirche in dead composer’s head by bribing the Nikolaus Esterhazy II, decided to Eisenstadt, built by Prince Paul Esterházy, gravedigger, Jakob Demuth. have Haydn’s remains moved from Nikolaus’ descendant. Eisenstadt seemed Gumpendorf to the Esterhazy family a fitting place for Haydn’s remains, given The two men were Johann Nepomuk seat in Eisenstadt. Yet when the corpse it was where some of the masses that Peter, governor of the provincial prison was exhumed, the Prince was furious to Haydn wrote for the Esterházy family of Lower Austria, and Joseph Carl find the skull was missing, and quickly were premiered. When the composer’s Rosenbaum, former secretary of the deduced that Peter and Rosenbaum were skull was finally restored to the rest of Esterhazy family, Haydn’s employers. responsible. his skeleton, the substitute skull was not The motive behind the theft was their removed. Haydn’s tomb now contains keen interest in phrenology, a scientific When confronted, Rosenbaum managed two skulls! YOUR WORLD IS OUR FOCUS movement that endeavoured to find a to avoid returning the skull to its rightful relationship between mental capacities owner by hiding it in his straw mattress, See the Bate Collection at the Faculty www.astonlark.com and aspects of cranial anatomy. Haydn’s and making his wife Therese lie on the of Music, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DB. skull was of particular fascination to bed and pretend she was menstruating – Aston Lark Limited Registered in England and Wales No: 02831010 them, given that it was held that the ensuring no one went near the mattress! [email protected] Registered office: Ibex House, 42–47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

30 LM-PCA-0419 www.larkmusic.com

Lark Music is a trading name of Aston Lark Limited Registered in England and Wales No: 02831010. Registered office: Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.