Performance Introductions

Pre-Performance talks in public or private to large audiences or small groups

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Lectures, Seminars & Study Days

All musical questions explored in varying degrees of detail from brief talks to in-depth study days

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"Not coming from a musical background I myself have had to make the journey from happy ignorance to a deeper understanding and I know just how dizzyingly wonderful the revelations and discoveries can be; indeed, I still experience them regularly. To revisit these wonders in the company of those who also wish to learn is perhaps the most rewarding thing I do."

Music will always have an immediate impact on us and our initial reactions to it, innocent of the sophistication of historical or musicological knowledge, are very important. However, the addition of such knowledge over time allows us to respond more deeply and intensely. Indeed, it is surely a measure of a great art form that, as a Stradivarius violin will reward every improvement in a player's technique without limit, so the riches on offer to those who look will be found to be infinite.

To explore classical music requires us to consider an enormous range of thoughts and emotions from the tragic or despairing to the blissful or triumphant. In more than ten years of public speaking on musical matters Philip has developed a reputation for dealing with these subjects in a way which is not only informative, inspiring and moving but also entertaining and full of humour. On these pages are examples of some ways in which he gets together with people to talk about music. However, life's variety is infinite and he is always very happy to hear of new and exciting ideas.