Of hedgehogs, Schubert and Summer

After a flurry of activity in the garden yesterday in the sunshine, today's a much slower affair. It's gloomy and mizzly out there so gardening wouldn't be an option, and I had a verrrry long lie-in without missing anything much.

By way of some unusual "Sunday music" to match the mood, how about one of the quirkiest of bands that I stumbled across on radio recently?

From their own blurb:

Zum Roten Igel (which translates as "The Red Hedgehog") was the 19th century tavern in Vienna where Brahms, and before him, Schubert, would go to drink and smoke and make merry with their friends. They also heard the gypsies play there, and some of this music found its way into their writing. The band ZRI play uniquely re-imagined versions of [the classics], re-scored for a folk ensemble of its time.

You can imagine why I was intrigued...

ZRI play Schubert Quintet into Cristinel wild gypsy tune

ZRI play Bach!

It doesn't stop there, however - try this!

ZRI play I Feel Love by Donna Summer

Faboo stuff.

How very civilised

This afternoon, Paul, Hils, History Boy and I went to a most civilised event - a piano recital at the rather lovely Royal Over Seas League headquarters in St James' (near Green Park).



Their building, formerly known as Rutland House, was bought by the League in 1934 from the estate of the Dukes of Rutland, and was immediately extended and kitted out in the Art Deco style with sumptuous wall lights, mirrors, wood veneer cocktail bars and other contemporary details. Much of the detail of the old house is also still intact, including the campest thing - a staircase with especially designed bowed bannister rails to accommodate ladies wearing crinolines so they did not crease on their descent!



The League itself is a members' club that supports educational, welfare and artistic projects across the Commonwealth and beyond, not least an annual music prize competition for young people.



Polish pianist Mateusz Borowiak won this very prize in 2006, when he was just 17. Today was the first time he had returned to the venue, and what a triumphal return it was! Without the aid of any sheet music, Mr Borowiak mastered the complexities of Mozart Piano Sonata no 9, Schubert Impromptu Op. 142 no 3, Chopin Mazurkas and a most elaborate (and difficult) modern piece by Polish composer Bacewicz. We were enraptured, and the audience gave the young maestro such resounding applause that he came back for a finale, a beautiful piece by Catalan composer Albeniz:

Mateusz Borowiak - Albeniz - Iberia Eretana

Followed by complimentary tea and scones, this was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon - one of which the Dowager Countess of Grantham would no doubt approve!

Royal Over Seas League