Guest of the Month January 2011: Charlotte Ray
This month it’s none other than our very own Grants Director, Charlotte Ray, who will be leaving us for a while to have another baby – congratulations Charlotte! We’re all going to miss her very, but fear not, she will return soon…
Charlotte has spent five years with PRS for Music Foundation exploring the outer reaches of new music and is embarking on her newest adventure from February when her second child is due. Prior to taking up the baton at PRS for Music Foundation in 2006, she was Events Director at Spitalfields Festival, label manager of the late-lamented Collins Classics and one-time Orchestral Assistant for Glyndebourne Touring Opera. She’s also been Director of Midi Music Company Events, led a ‘front-of-house’ team for the 2002 Commonwealth Games looking after 70,000 people every day, bred barn owls for release, sung with Lewisham Choral Society, and walked 100km in 25 hours in one stretch on the South Downs Way. When not immersed in music, she’s to be found plotting the next foray to the Lakes or north-west highlands of Scotland.
Staff Banda Bilili ‘Tres Tres Fort’
I missed these guys live when they toured the UK under Serious’ banner, but their first album Tres Tres Fort is an ear-opening joy. When my sister was working in DR Congo, all talk was of this group of paraplegic street musicians playing on the same corner each day. Featuring a surreal electric lute (satonge) hand-made from a tin can, these tough guys tell the story of their lives living outside the zoo in Kinshasa, DR Congo. They’ve become somewhat of an international sensation now (there’s a film release this spring when they’re back touring the UK), but this uplifting album recorded outdoors is where it started & never fails to raise a smile.
NMC Songbook
A deservedly award-winning collection of new writing for voice to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this inspiring label. This brilliant idea, beautifully executed, paints a soundworld of Britain in song. Dip into any of the discs for a short, sweet refresher on the creative art of song-writing. With so many composers in one place there’s much to explore.
Ravel ‘The Complete Piano Works’
I’ve now got a second set of the complete Ravel piano works (Angela Hewitt). The first was on tape and disintegrated after multiple replays during teenage years struggling through piano exams and recital programmes. This dazzling music refreshed my ears and fingers. Gaspard de la Nuit still makes me tremble.
Bellowhead ‘Hedonism’
More please! If you haven’t seen them live yet, go now.
Richard & Jess Arrowsmith ‘Off We Go’
Now if I’m honest, the most-frequently requested album in our house recently is this terrific collection of folk songs and nursery rhymes. With the musical talents of some of the countries finest folk musicians behind it, I’m singing along to the strains of Do your Ears Hang Low and finally working out the latter lyrics to When I was One. Another treat for the Under 5s is Jemma’s Journey and Abi’s Adventure (Vanessa King and Nigel Gomm), with the good folk of the London Symphony Orchestra to the fore. There is much, much more out there than the same old nursery rhymes peddled in the toddler-friendly music groups of south east London…
Alexander Raskatov ‘A Dog’s Heart’
Seen towards the end of last year at ENO in a co-production with Complicité, this extraordinary re-telling of a Soviet satire, was quick-witted, slick and the production was all-enveloping. It reminded me that opera is a truly multi-media experience and in the hands of Simon McBurney & friends then it grabs you by the guts and won’t let go.
Queen ‘Jazz’
Genius. No question.
