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a success story, 24 Nov 2003
Alfred Brendel said that a group of musicians with such an impossible name must either be dreary or become a legend and the writers of this splendid, amusing and informative book show how the Academy began and flourished and indeed became a legend.Susie Harries is the daughter of Sir Neville Marriner, one of the group's founding fathers, so she is well-placed to describe the adventures - and they are adventures - of the twelve musicians who in 1958 met in a Trafalgar Square pub and decided to discover and perform some of the many masterpieces which have been forgotten particularly from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.There would be 11 string players with harpsichord continuo played by John Churchill, the organist of St Martin's whose Vicar begged and borrowed money for the first concerts - which were held in his church.In true baroque style the group was led from the front desk of the violins.
The authors explain why a conductor,Sir Neville, became necessary after ten years, and how the BBC offered the first broadcasts, and there is an amusing description of the first record being made for an Australian millionairess in 1961 in the Conway Hall. It consisted of rarely heard works by Corelli, Torelli and Locatelli(known to the Academy as the "ice-cream makers") together with Handel and Albicastro.
Susie's mother,Molly Marriner, is seen to be the administrative saviour of the group - using her kitchen table as a desk until a paid administrator was appointed in 1969.She balanced the books and provided meals. Rehearsals were still being held in the family's living room much to the delight of the cats who settled in the empty violin cases.
The book is a feast for music lovers but the many hilarious stories mean it can be read by anyone. Overseas tours, which form an important part of the Academy's life, were often a nightmare.Getting the players on board an aircraft was easy but where should the instruments be? The hold, with its sub-zero temperatures was impossible, so seats had to be booked for them. 2 cellos needed 3 seats but Mr and Mrs Cello were not served lunch, much to the consternation of their greedy players.
This book,which describes the first 21 years of the Academy's life, describes in careful detail how enthusiastic, partime musicians tackled the many concerts and recordings which have made them so famous.By the 1980s there were over 60 free-lance artists involved and a Chamber Ensemble was formed. Wind and brass could be added if required.In 1975 their own choir was born - the Chorus with 72 singers. The authors describe the first visit to America where again their name foxed everyone. "Why does Marriner conduct in the fields? What kind of sadist is he?"
In these pages we meet composers known and unknown, and world famous musicians and performers including Sir David Willcocks,Simon Preston Dame Janet Baker and Dietrich Fischer- Dieskau. It is a splendid read.
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(1 customer review)
