How I wish the BBC would stop messing around with the schedule. It seems to be stupid game shows and cooking programmes these days and these come at the expense of important programmes and I include in this Holby City which came to an end last Tuesday evening. Probably having two such similar medical programmes was too much but I think they chose the wrong one to axe – Casualty I could do without but Holby had such strong characters and storylines not least Jac, an expert surgeon and a feisty woman who was much loved by her colleagues even though she rubbed them up the wrong way at times.
Her illness was progressive and last Tuesday she died a most moving death despite the attempt to remove the brain tumour. She had her close friend Fletch write out a ‘do not resuscitate’ letter, she’d had enough but she didn’t leave without a final gesture. As we saw her being wheeled to the morgue her voice catalogued her wishes – Robert 22 year old medical student – kidney; Mary dinner lady 49 – pancreas; Felex 63 retired teacher – lung; Ashona 16 Spleen; Ali 48 Corneas and Ellen 35 mother of four – liver. Jac had a heart of gold and this she bequeathed to the reverent lady in the next bed. Even if you don’t watch Holby I would encourage you to find this final episode on catch-up and you’ll see something special and something that will do more for organ donation than any campaign. My sadness is that because of chemotherapy I’m told I can’t donate, even blood because to be able to prolong another live through your own death is a very wonderful thing.
I will miss Jac, and sexy Henric (featured pic), bumbling Sasha, kindly Fletch. Elliott and Dom, Jason and the rest. And guess what replaces Holby on Tuesday? Master Chef! Give me strength.
CELEBRATING THE ORGAN IN A DIFFERENT PROGRAMME
On Wednesday 6th April at 7.30 in the evening I was sitting in St. Anne’s Cathedral listening to the might of the church organ played by ten top class international organists, all prize winners of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC); this is their 10th anniversary and they were celebrating in style.
Organisers raised £39.000 to bring this wealth of talent back to Northern Ireland (where over the years they undertook their finals), air fares, accommodation, payment for these professional musicians and all the expense that goes with such an undertaking. But they worked hard whilst they were here, not only the gala concert but free lunchtime recitals on 5th April in each of the six counties.
PROUD MUSICAL HISTORY
At St. Anne’s the 1907 Harrison and Harrison organ must have been so proud to host these musicians who follow in the footsteps of the famous Captain Charles J. Brennan the first St. Anne’s organist in residence who died in 1964. He said that of all the services and events he played for, the funeral of Lord Carson was outstanding, the coffin carried on the deck of a warship as it sailed up Belfast Lough and then on a horse drawn gun carriage to a packed cathedral where Captain Brennan was waiting. Today, as then, it is always a very spectacular setting as the music soars above the nave to the rafters.
Richard Yarr, renowned organist and founder and chair of this the world’s leading international competition for young people: “We were thrilled to celebrate our first ten years with these very special concerts featuring ten winning organists who are now such great ambassadors for the king of instruments and for our competition. NIIOC takes pride of place on their CVs and I know these events will offer something for everyone. They will also provide great opportunities to thank those who have supported us on this exciting journey.”
Simultaneous lunchtime recitals by individual NIIOC prizewinners will be presented under the banner ‘Northern Ireland Resounds’ on 5 April in the following venues:
Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Belfast, Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, St Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, First Presbyterian Church, Omagh, Christ Church, Londonderry and Ballywillan Presbyterian Church, Portrush, Co Antrim.
A FEAST OF MUSICAL TALENT
Most of the ten NIIOC senior competition prize-winning organists from 2011 to 2020 are from the UK also representatives from Germany, Hungary and Mona Rozdestvenskyte from Luthuania. Richard Gowers, senior prizewinner in 2013, will also include the premiere of a work by Grace-Evangeline Mason specially composed for NIIOC and the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland. It is dedicated to all those touched by the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Tickets for the Belfast Gala Recital are £10 (students £5) and are bookable through the competition website.
More information can be found on the NIIOC website: www.niioc.com
ARTISTRY BEHIND THE MASK
Masks have been big news for a couple of years now, they come in all colours, shapes and sizes, quite a fashion item in recent times, however, to wear or not to wear, that is the question. I believe ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, even when someone next to you in the queue gives you a dirty look. But what’s new? Nothing.
In Venice ladies and gentlemen enjoying a masked ball wore them to intrigue and hide secrets, women especially wear the mask of makeup to enhance their looks or disguise their flaws and there’s the wonderful theatrical work by professional makeup artists who can change a man into a women, a child into an old hag; then there are medical and gas masks that offer life. When I was little I remember a horrible Micky Mouse mask kicking around the house presumably protection again a mustard gas attack from German invaders! The ‘Noh’ plays are classical Japanese musical dramas based on tales from traditional literature. The actors tell a story enhanced by masks, there’s one that represents a normal loving female who, when in a jealous rage, becomes a demon with a twisted mouth, sharp teeth and metallic eyes. Nearer home just think of that awful programme ‘The Masked Singer’!
Looking back through history many countries have a tradition of hiding behind a mask to disguise themselves against recognition or to terrorise opponents. It’s fascinating when you begin to think about it.
Now comes news of a unique display of masks, the work of husband and wife team, Laurence and Chris Burrell. This project began life last January although it was first considered during lockdown when Chris, who works in the film industry and Laurence who was a jeweller and part owner the famous Wicker Man arts and craft shop, shared ideas about future projects. They talked about many things but both were intrigued by masks and what they represent, to protect as in Covid, at rituals, even the invisible mask of fake happiness to protect fragile mental health. So they set to work in their studio on King’s Road, Knock. Laurence tells me that 30 individual masks were on display. “We’ve used a variety of materials, one mask is made from tiny coloured beads reflecting the global picture of life today, another is made from the peel of a silver birch tree trunk, some are suede, others leather, and a Mandela, meaning circle, mask which aids meditation.” More about the Burrell’s exhibition and other craft work at www.kingsroad-studios.com
