Joo Yeon Sir in Concert at St Martin’s in the Fields 9th January by Margaret Graham

Some years ago I was honoured to be invited to speak at the commemoration  of Vera Brittain’s life, at St. Martin’s in the Fields. I was delighted to pay homage to the author of Testament of Youth, (soon to be released as a film) who wrote with an eye to the social and political context of the time, as indeed do I. So, on went the hat, and off I went.

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In the front pews were the great and the good, rewardingly attentive. At the back, secure in the knowledge they were welcome at St. Martin’s whatever else was going on, were the sleeping, snoring homeless. St. Martin’s has endeared itself to me ever since; with its balance of religion, and community.

 

Part of this ethos had led, 65 years ago, to the free lunchtime concerts. At last I caught one, featuring Joo Yeon Sir and what a treat.

JooYeonSir Joo Yeon Sir  photograph by www.benjaminharte.com

 

Joo Yeon Sir (violin), acclaimed and award winning Korean born British violinist, has performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician at major venues across the UK. At the concert on 9th January she was accompanied by Russian born Irina Andrievshy .So there I was, sitting in St. Martin’s again: did it disappoint?

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Absolutely not, it was a tour de force.

 

As I sat towards the back, pre-concert, admiring the East Window created by Shirazeh Houshiary and Pip Horne with its etched mouth blown clear glass, I wondered if St Martin’s ethos of ‘all welcome’ still held good; especially in such a full house. Then I heard it… A homeless gentleman sitting in a pew across from me, asking where was God, loudly, and then rather more vehemently where the …. was he? Security arrived, a kindly security, who had a little chat, and the visitor left, amicably, to return halfway through the concert. A frisson ran round our area. He plonked himself in a congested pew, (they all were) getting everyone to shove up, and then settled to listen to the marvelous music, along with the rest of us. Perfection at all levels  – again.

 

Joo Leon Sir had chosen to open the concert with Grave in style of F. Bach. I’m a great weeper when listening to the violin, because I find it the most beautiful of instruments, if played well. It was played, more than well, so things became blurred. What enhanced the piece was the glorious building. Both the playing and the architecture inspired awe.

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Then it was the Sonata No 3 in C minor for Violin and Piano, which was beautifully and empathetically imagined and finally a Concert Fantasy on Gershwin’s Opera ‘Porgy and Bess’, which was cheeky, energetic and as haunting, as Gershwin always is.

Joo Yeon Sir plays not just with her fingers, but her whole body. She is a joy to listen to, and to watch. So, take the upcoming opportunity: Joo Yeon performs all ten of Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano, in a series of four rush-hour recitals at the Royal College of Music, starting 3rd March.

Again, all recitals are free but tickets are required from the RCM Box Office. 020 7591 4314/ www.rcm.ac.uk/events  Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS.

Superdrug’s 50th Birthday Experience | Social Diary

Tuesday 10th June, Bankside Vaults, SE1, Unilever were honoured to host an all-encompassing beauty experience to celebrate Superdrug’s 50th Birthday, in one unforgettable party.

kingslandroad laurawhitmore linzistoppard kimberleygarner andyjourdan jameela jamil

Held at one of the largest nightclubs in London, Bankside Vaults was transformed into a highly creative venue where VIP guests came together to experience a unique event, that included an immersive fashion show, exhibiting designs from some of the most up and coming creative heads in the industry hailing from London College of Fashion. The conceptual show blurred the boundaries between creativity, fashion and beauty.


Celebrity model, presenter and DJ, Jameela Jamil was on the decks for the party’s VIP guests including celebrities Laura Whitmore, Made in Chelsea’s Andy Jourdan, models Kimberley Garner and Imogen Thomas, boy band Kingsland Road and BAFTA winning violinist Linzi Stoppard.

#Superdrug50

 

All images Courtesy of Piers Allardyce

 

 

Free Roses in Chelsea This Valentine’s Day

If you are in Chelsea this Valentine’s Day make sure you pick up a free rose. Complimentary roses will be handed out to all passersby and commuters on February 14th on Duke of York Square in Chelsea. With an aim to spread the love and brighten the mood of all who visit the area, there will also be a violinist playing romantic music and serenading on request!

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Thousands of roses will be handed out over the day but we recommend you get there quick if you would like to pick one up!