A second day of video recording with Marcus Foley and the team from the innovative agency ThisIsTommy, aiming to complete all the material required for the inaugural MU promo film. An early start at the Royal Festival Hall, where I was joined by my colleague Maddy Radcliff, saw harpist Seana Davey and violinist Miles Brett captured on the main stage by Director of Photography Chris Turner. Further footage with pianist/vocalist Jack Charles was recorded in a rehearsal room backstage, plus a series of stills of singer/guitarist Sean Taylor added to our growing portfolio.
We finished before our deadline of 11am, at which time Daniel Barenboim was due to arrive to practise his four-concert Schubert sonata – from memory – in readiness for that evening’s performance. The new piano he was to play (the ‘Barenboim’) was designed by the Belgian instrument maker Chris Maene and features straight parallel strings instead of the diagonal-crossed ones of a contemporary piano. The wooden soundboard veins go in different directions. The bridges, ribs and bracings are specially-designed and the hammers and strings (yellow brass rather than red brass) have been repositioned.
We then headed east to the London Centre of Contemporary Music in London Bridge and shot – at very short notice – bassist Geoff Gascoyne, plus my son Ben with saxophonist Mani Wells. The team then made its way to OvalHouse Theatre where we met four-piece all-girl rock band JoanOvArc for the final shoot. A very successful day and my thanks to everyone involved, including the events teams at all three locations. The video will be available on the MU website and social media in the autumn.
