Dear Music-lover,

The final concert of our 2005-6 season took place last Wednesday (19th April), given by “Travelling by Tuba” – the duo of Chris Cranham (tuba etc.) and Stewart Death (piano etc.) It was a truly remarkable, very professional concert given by 2 highly versatile musicians who gave vent to their fecund (if that’s the right word!) imaginations. From the moment that Stewart started with a demonstration on the ocarina to Chris’ encore of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” we enjoyed a fascinating evening. Hearing some weird instruments (such as the Roman “Cornu”, used in battle – I don’t know whether the marching legions were inspired by it or terrified by it!), some very odd instruments (I was amazed at the creativity – not to mention the metal-bending ability – of the makers of the cembasso), Scriabin’s lyrical “Prelude and Nocturne” for the left hand, played by Stewart and a performance of the 3rd movement of Mozart’s Horn Concerto by Chris on the tuba, made me reflect on the wonder of music in all its forms. “Travelling by Tuba” provided a suitable finale to what, for me, has been a very rewarding season.

After the concert, Stewart was highly complimentary about you, the audience, saying how interested you obviously were. I had an email from him this morning, “Many thanks for all the hospitality and a very warm and friendly audience, we really enjoyed our visit to you.” Even the normally quiet but chatty interval was a slightly louder affair, as you did your best to get sounds out of the instruments, which they had left on the stage for you to try.

In the audience was Ann Meldrum of Enterprise Music Scotland, our major funders. Ann was also full of praise for the grandeur of the venue, the acoustic of the Hall and the enthusiasm of the audience – “more black hairs than I had expected”, she said.

I was delighted to be able to distribute flyers for next season’s concerts and the details also appear on the websites www.invernesschambermusic.com and www.musicinverness.com. This time, the flyers contained details of the ticket prices. I shall be distributing our “posh”, glossy, brochure later, which will include a form to enable you to obtain season tickets.

The Piano. As I mentioned in last month’s Newsletter, the National Lottery considered the Area Council’s application to replace the aged Bluthner with a new Steinway early in April. They rejected the application. So, no Steinway help from the Lottery. However, we’re not beaten yet! There remains the possibility of a piano with assistance from other sources and I’m confident enough not to alter the 2006/7 programme – but a following wind would help.

I shall continue to prepare these Newsletters next season, but I’m afraid that I won’t be sending them (printing, signing, packaging and posting by Royal Mail). I shall, however, be emailing them, and putting them on our websites. I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed preparing them. Next season, I anticipate even more to talk about!

Paul Crowe