Reviews

'As always, it was sheer pleasure to observe Robin Hill's remarkable fluent technique: everything looks easy when he plays it.' Colin Cooper- Classical Guitar Magazine ----- 'Wonderful for their (Hill & Wiltschinsky) precision, touch and clarity of sound... refined virtuosity, the achievement of a long interpretive process.' Il Giornale D'Italia (Rome) ----- 'I loved your CD and thought your technique and performance were fabulous...' Rick Wakeman

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Rain Stops Play - Guitar That Is...

'Seated upon the convex mound
Of one vast kidney, Jonah prays
And sings his canticles and hymns...
Till the great fish spouts music as he swims.'
Aldous Huxley (1894-1964)

Ohh dear.
Robin set off for Entwistle and the sky was very grey.
Since then it has been raining.
Not drizzle or showers, but huge, fat, raindrops that bounce once they hit the ground.
Not only that but there's the occasional rumble of thunder...
At least that's what it is like here. Robin is about 10 miles away.
As I haven't had a call yet to say the event has been cancelled, then maybe, the situation is better there.

Whatever it is like it certainly won't be easy for Robin to play.
Cold hands will be a problem.
When sitting in one position, outside, his hands will very quickly get cold.
This is obviously not ideal when trying to play the guitar.
Add an adrenaline rush and the situation gets worse.

I've been seen in many venues around the world carefully carrying bowls of warm water backstage so that Robin can try to warm his hands up.
Whilst not able to do that today I did have a call from the event organiser, who was concerned about the weather, and I suggested plenty of cups of warm coffee for Robin.
I suspect he's on a caffeine high around about now, and as for the poor audience, well, I hope he's playing plenty of flamenco so they can at least feel warm on the inside.

UPDATE:
I've just heard from Robin and after a few pieces the rain did indeed come down. They withdrew to a small pavilion along with as many of the audience as could fit in.
They were so disappointed that he played for them anyway in the rather cramped conditions. Well you have to be versatile!

Eventually the event had to be abandoned and Robin is now on his way home.
At least he'll be back in time to watch the rest of the men's finals at Wimbledon.
He'll be delighted about that.

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