oh I’ve come back I’m so sorry there we are
are
are what do you make of this image it’s a
what do you make of this image it’s a
what do you make of this image it’s a famous model called kendall Jenner she’s
famous model called kendall Jenner she’s
famous model called kendall Jenner she’s offering a Pepsi to a nice-looking
offering a Pepsi to a nice-looking
offering a Pepsi to a nice-looking policeman an act of kindness friendship
policeman an act of kindness friendship
policeman an act of kindness friendship or perhaps something deeper
or perhaps something deeper
or perhaps something deeper you probably recognize it from a very
you probably recognize it from a very
you probably recognize it from a very very famous very recent rather
very famous very recent rather
very famous very recent rather ill-advised commercial campaign by Pepsi
ill-advised commercial campaign by Pepsi
ill-advised commercial campaign by Pepsi which caused a worldwide protest great
which caused a worldwide protest great
which caused a worldwide protest great cries that here was a sugary drink
cries that here was a sugary drink
cries that here was a sugary drink company piggybacking on the back of of
company piggybacking on the back of of
company piggybacking on the back of of social activism of using protests in a
social activism of using protests in a
social activism of using protests in a kind of Disney fide fashion making a
kind of Disney fide fashion making a
kind of Disney fide fashion making a mockery of protests and of course there
mockery of protests and of course there
mockery of protests and of course there is a great deal of protest going on in
is a great deal of protest going on in
is a great deal of protest going on in our world today online and on the
our world today online and on the
our world today online and on the streets and what with a general climate
streets and what with a general climate
streets and what with a general climate of fake news and politicians who
of fake news and politicians who
of fake news and politicians who constantly seem to change their minds on
constantly seem to change their minds on
constantly seem to change their minds on the basis of which way the wind is
the basis of which way the wind is
the basis of which way the wind is blowing I found myself thinking more and
blowing I found myself thinking more and
blowing I found myself thinking more and more about authenticity why it’s
more about authenticity why it’s
more about authenticity why it’s important we each and one of us in this
important we each and one of us in this
important we each and one of us in this room know that innate authenticity is
room know that innate authenticity is
room know that innate authenticity is what makes the world go round each and
what makes the world go round each and
what makes the world go round each and every one of us has to struggle and mine
every one of us has to struggle and mine
every one of us has to struggle and mine down very deep within ourselves to find
down very deep within ourselves to find
down very deep within ourselves to find our core authenticity in order to really
our core authenticity in order to really
our core authenticity in order to really make waves in the world or in our
make waves in the world or in our
make waves in the world or in our personal life or in whatever situation
personal life or in whatever situation
personal life or in whatever situation to be truly authentic to be truly
to be truly authentic to be truly
to be truly authentic to be truly yourself to recognize what it is that
yourself to recognize what it is that
yourself to recognize what it is that you believe in and you stand for now the
you believe in and you stand for now the
you believe in and you stand for now the funny thing is that all human beings are
funny thing is that all human beings are
funny thing is that all human beings are born authentic aren’t they if you look
born authentic aren’t they if you look
born authentic aren’t they if you look at a very small child and you play a
at a very small child and you play a
at a very small child and you play a piece of music to them and you see how
piece of music to them and you see how
piece of music to them and you see how they react
they react
they react they’re probably moving they might well
they’re probably moving they might well
they’re probably moving they might well be singing along and yet certainly in
be singing along and yet certainly in
be singing along and yet certainly in the rather dried up culture from which I
the rather dried up culture from which I
the rather dried up culture from which I come by the time they’re 10 or 11
come by the time they’re 10 or 11
come by the time they’re 10 or 11 they’ve
they’ve
they’ve completely lost the ability to move and
completely lost the ability to move and
completely lost the ability to move and respond freely to music in that way
respond freely to music in that way
respond freely to music in that way because somehow they’ve learnt that we
because somehow they’ve learnt that we
because somehow they’ve learnt that we have to conform with others we have to
have to conform with others we have to
have to conform with others we have to find appropriate ways of behaving which
find appropriate ways of behaving which
find appropriate ways of behaving which I like all the other people that we
I like all the other people that we
I like all the other people that we observe and of course we obsess
observe and of course we obsess
observe and of course we obsess ourselves with footballers or pop stars
ourselves with footballers or pop stars
ourselves with footballers or pop stars or fashion models or great musicians of
or fashion models or great musicians of
or fashion models or great musicians of whatever sort we want to be like them
whatever sort we want to be like them
whatever sort we want to be like them and in wanting to be like them we lose
and in wanting to be like them we lose
and in wanting to be like them we lose touch where the fundamental part of who
touch where the fundamental part of who
touch where the fundamental part of who we actually are now I’m a conductor my
we actually are now I’m a conductor my
we actually are now I’m a conductor my day job is conducting orchestras around
day job is conducting orchestras around
day job is conducting orchestras around the world it’s an amazing way to make a
the world it’s an amazing way to make a
the world it’s an amazing way to make a living but let me tell you in the early
living but let me tell you in the early
living but let me tell you in the early years of my career as a conductor I
years of my career as a conductor I
years of my career as a conductor I really couldn’t find my authenticity
really couldn’t find my authenticity
really couldn’t find my authenticity because I was trying so hard to be like
because I was trying so hard to be like
because I was trying so hard to be like all the great conductors I was watching
all the great conductors I was watching
all the great conductors I was watching them at work and trying to imitate their
them at work and trying to imitate their
them at work and trying to imitate their movements I was listening to their
movements I was listening to their
movements I was listening to their performances and trying to imitate those
performances and trying to imitate those
performances and trying to imitate those as well and of course in so doing I was
as well and of course in so doing I was
as well and of course in so doing I was an empty vessel I was kind of hollow my
an empty vessel I was kind of hollow my
an empty vessel I was kind of hollow my gestures had no real implicit value they
gestures had no real implicit value they
gestures had no real implicit value they were pretty to look at but meaningless
were pretty to look at but meaningless
were pretty to look at but meaningless an orchestra spend a lot of time making
an orchestra spend a lot of time making
an orchestra spend a lot of time making fun of me there was a joke that one
fun of me there was a joke that one
fun of me there was a joke that one member of an orchestra told me when I
member of an orchestra told me when I
member of an orchestra told me when I was about 20 during a rehearsal break he
was about 20 during a rehearsal break he
was about 20 during a rehearsal break he said Charles what do you think the
said Charles what do you think the
said Charles what do you think the difference is between a bull and an
difference is between a bull and an
difference is between a bull and an orchestra and I said ah I don’t know
orchestra and I said ah I don’t know
orchestra and I said ah I don’t know what is the difference between a bull in
what is the difference between a bull in
what is the difference between a bull in an orchestra said well with a bull the
an orchestra said well with a bull the
an orchestra said well with a bull the horns are at the front and the assholes
horns are at the front and the assholes
horns are at the front and the assholes at the back yeah it took a long time for
at the back yeah it took a long time for
at the back yeah it took a long time for me to find that authenticity now of
me to find that authenticity now of
me to find that authenticity now of course authenticity in a conducting
course authenticity in a conducting
course authenticity in a conducting sense is simply about recognizing that
sense is simply about recognizing that
sense is simply about recognizing that you are unique we are all unique every
you are unique we are all unique every
you are unique we are all unique every person on the planet is different from
person on the planet is different from
person on the planet is different from every other person on the planet and
every other person on the planet and
every other person on the planet and therefore has something you need to say
therefore has something you need to say
therefore has something you need to say it’s not like my performance of a
it’s not like my performance of a
it’s not like my performance of a Beethoven symphony will be better than
Beethoven symphony will be better than
Beethoven symphony will be better than anybody else’s but of course it will be
anybody else’s but of course it will be
anybody else’s but of course it will be different and therefore it has value now
different and therefore it has value now
different and therefore it has value now an amazing experience during my life has
an amazing experience during my life has
an amazing experience during my life has been the opportunity 12 years ago to
been the opportunity 12 years ago to
been the opportunity 12 years ago to form a new opera company out of the
form a new opera company out of the
form a new opera company out of the rural townships of South Africa
rural townships of South Africa
rural townships of South Africa these are some of the most ridiculously
these are some of the most ridiculously
these are some of the most ridiculously talented musically talented communities
talented musically talented communities
talented musically talented communities it’s possible to imagine and very
it’s possible to imagine and very
it’s possible to imagine and very quickly having auditioned around about
quickly having auditioned around about
quickly having auditioned around about 2,000 people we assembled a company of
2,000 people we assembled a company of
2,000 people we assembled a company of 40 amazingly talented young singer
40 amazingly talented young singer
40 amazingly talented young singer performers one of the first shows we did
performers one of the first shows we did
performers one of the first shows we did was Carmen a great grand slam opera by
was Carmen a great grand slam opera by
was Carmen a great grand slam opera by George BZ and very quickly we had a bit
George BZ and very quickly we had a bit
George BZ and very quickly we had a bit of a backlash from the rather
of a backlash from the rather
of a backlash from the rather conservative old opera going opera
conservative old opera going opera
conservative old opera going opera supporting audience of Cape Town where
supporting audience of Cape Town where
supporting audience of Cape Town where the company was based these people were
the company was based these people were
the company was based these people were saying this is or inauthentic for black
saying this is or inauthentic for black
saying this is or inauthentic for black singers from a township to be performing
singers from a township to be performing
singers from a township to be performing this Eurocentric forum opera this is
this Eurocentric forum opera this is
this Eurocentric forum opera this is inauthentic inappropriate more to the
inauthentic inappropriate more to the
inauthentic inappropriate more to the point that Carmen is an opera about
point that Carmen is an opera about
point that Carmen is an opera about bullfighting now black people in a
bullfighting now black people in a
bullfighting now black people in a Township in South Africa they know
Township in South Africa they know
Township in South Africa they know nothing of bullfighting again this is
nothing of bullfighting again this is
nothing of bullfighting again this is inauthentic they cried how often is it
inauthentic they cried how often is it
inauthentic they cried how often is it that one group of people will try and
that one group of people will try and
that one group of people will try and diss another group of people by trying
diss another group of people by trying
diss another group of people by trying to shout it their inauthenticity well
to shout it their inauthenticity well
to shout it their inauthenticity well here’s a fact George Bea’s a French
here’s a fact George Bea’s a French
here’s a fact George Bea’s a French composer wrote Carmen which is an opera
composer wrote Carmen which is an opera
composer wrote Carmen which is an opera about Seville a city in Spain a country
about Seville a city in Spain a country
about Seville a city in Spain a country he never even visited so already we have
he never even visited so already we have
he never even visited so already we have a deeply flawed or inauthentic premise
a deeply flawed or inauthentic premise
a deeply flawed or inauthentic premise don’t we Carmen a Spanish story written
don’t we Carmen a Spanish story written
don’t we Carmen a Spanish story written by a Frenchman so we put this to the
by a Frenchman so we put this to the
by a Frenchman so we put this to the Opera going fraternity of Capetown they
Opera going fraternity of Capetown they
Opera going fraternity of Capetown they weren’t particularly impressed but you
weren’t particularly impressed but you
weren’t particularly impressed but you know there’s a much more fundamental
know there’s a much more fundamental
know there’s a much more fundamental aspect of the authenticity that I
aspect of the authenticity that I
aspect of the authenticity that I discovered amongst these black South
discovered amongst these black South
discovered amongst these black South African singers which is in the way that
African singers which is in the way that
African singers which is in the way that they emote the way that they sing the
they emote the way that they sing the
they emote the way that they sing the way that they carry line the way that
way that they carry line the way that
way that they carry line the way that they characterize the parts in a story
they characterize the parts in a story
they characterize the parts in a story like Carmen you see if you’re me and
like Carmen you see if you’re me and
like Carmen you see if you’re me and you’re a conductor and you’re preparing
you’re a conductor and you’re preparing
you’re a conductor and you’re preparing an opera say in London or in New York
an opera say in London or in New York
an opera say in London or in New York you will spend a portion of time early
you will spend a portion of time early
you will spend a portion of time early on in the rehearsal period coaching the
on in the rehearsal period coaching the
on in the rehearsal period coaching the singers you know working through their
singers you know working through their
singers you know working through their our ears with them working through their
our ears with them working through their
our ears with them working through their big
big
big set-pieces finding the best possible way
set-pieces finding the best possible way
set-pieces finding the best possible way forward for them and how they might
forward for them and how they might
forward for them and how they might serve the show the particular production
serve the show the particular production
serve the show the particular production now 10:00 to 1:00 if you’re working with
now 10:00 to 1:00 if you’re working with
now 10:00 to 1:00 if you’re working with a singer in London or a singer in New
a singer in London or a singer in New
a singer in London or a singer in New York or any number of other places what
York or any number of other places what
York or any number of other places what you’re dealing with is very very dry
you’re dealing with is very very dry
you’re dealing with is very very dry technique you’re talking about shall i
technique you’re talking about shall i
technique you’re talking about shall i vibrate a little on that note maybe I
vibrate a little on that note maybe I
vibrate a little on that note maybe I could pitch Bend there what color a
could pitch Bend there what color a
could pitch Bend there what color a vowel shall I use for that particular
vowel shall I use for that particular
vowel shall I use for that particular word all well and good technical stuff
word all well and good technical stuff
word all well and good technical stuff but what it’s not about is the emotional
but what it’s not about is the emotional
but what it’s not about is the emotional core the emotional truth of a particular
core the emotional truth of a particular
core the emotional truth of a particular line of a sentiment of a musical phrase
line of a sentiment of a musical phrase
line of a sentiment of a musical phrase that in a way if one talks in such kind
that in a way if one talks in such kind
that in a way if one talks in such kind of highfalutin terms the singer might
of highfalutin terms the singer might
of highfalutin terms the singer might get left behind now with a South African
get left behind now with a South African
get left behind now with a South African singer you never talk about vibrato
singer you never talk about vibrato
singer you never talk about vibrato pitch Bend vowel color you talk only
pitch Bend vowel color you talk only
pitch Bend vowel color you talk only about the truth of the line about the
about the truth of the line about the
about the truth of the line about the characterization so of course already
characterization so of course already
characterization so of course already before having even started there is an
before having even started there is an
before having even started there is an authenticity there because you’re not
authenticity there because you’re not
authenticity there because you’re not asking the person who is singing common
asking the person who is singing common
asking the person who is singing common to be like all the other carbons or to
to be like all the other carbons or to
to be like all the other carbons or to be like an appropriate Carmen you’re
be like an appropriate Carmen you’re
be like an appropriate Carmen you’re simply inviting that common to be
simply inviting that common to be
simply inviting that common to be authentically herself now I want to play
authentically herself now I want to play
authentically herself now I want to play you a little clip of one of the most
you a little clip of one of the most
you a little clip of one of the most famous are is from Carmen the habanero
famous are is from Carmen the habanero
famous are is from Carmen the habanero and I’m going to first of all play it to
and I’m going to first of all play it to
and I’m going to first of all play it to you as sung by not a South African have
you as sung by not a South African have
you as sung by not a South African have a look at this
a look at this
a look at this [Music]
[Music]
[Music] like she saying I’m very sexy I’m very
like she saying I’m very sexy I’m very
like she saying I’m very sexy I’m very very sexy they afraid women because I am
very sexy they afraid women because I am
very sexy they afraid women because I am very sexy yes you see I should kill
very sexy yes you see I should kill
very sexy yes you see I should kill little jerks all well and good ladies
little jerks all well and good ladies
little jerks all well and good ladies and gentlemen very artful isn’t it great
and gentlemen very artful isn’t it great
and gentlemen very artful isn’t it great technique on display and as consummate
technique on display and as consummate
technique on display and as consummate sense that she is playing a vixen she’s
sense that she is playing a vixen she’s
sense that she is playing a vixen she’s playing someone who knows that everyone
playing someone who knows that everyone
playing someone who knows that everyone in the room fancies her okay let me play
in the room fancies her okay let me play
in the room fancies her okay let me play by contrast Pauline mallow fauna from
by contrast Pauline mallow fauna from
by contrast Pauline mallow fauna from the South African company that we
the South African company that we
the South African company that we started singing the same role and see if
started singing the same role and see if
started singing the same role and see if you can sense the difference here I
you can sense the difference here I
you can sense the difference here I would argue is true authenticity
[Music]
[Music] you see what I’m saying it’s a
you see what I’m saying it’s a
you see what I’m saying it’s a completely different order of connection
completely different order of connection
completely different order of connection you know that is Pauline Maloof on a
you know that is Pauline Maloof on a
you know that is Pauline Maloof on a Carmen it’s not putting on a suit of
Carmen it’s not putting on a suit of
Carmen it’s not putting on a suit of clothes marked Carmen interestingly
clothes marked Carmen interestingly
clothes marked Carmen interestingly prosper mérimée who wrote the novella
prosper mérimée who wrote the novella
prosper mérimée who wrote the novella Carmen upon which Bea’s a based the
Carmen upon which Bea’s a based the
Carmen upon which Bea’s a based the Opera he said if you want to understand
Opera he said if you want to understand
Opera he said if you want to understand the nature of Carmen’s eyes look at your
the nature of Carmen’s eyes look at your
the nature of Carmen’s eyes look at your cat the cat’s eyes while it is stalking
cat the cat’s eyes while it is stalking
cat the cat’s eyes while it is stalking a sparrow I think we’ve got a lot of
a sparrow I think we’ve got a lot of
a sparrow I think we’ve got a lot of that from from Pauline in that clip
that from from Pauline in that clip
that from from Pauline in that clip going to show you another little moment
going to show you another little moment
going to show you another little moment from later on in the same show here’s
from later on in the same show here’s
from later on in the same show here’s another European performance
another European performance
another European performance [Music]
[Music]
[Music] these are gypsies by the way
Oh gypsy optic
Oh gypsy optic [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
it’s a bit of lag alright and here’s the
it’s a bit of lag alright and here’s the South African version again I think I’ve
South African version again I think I’ve
South African version again I think I’ve also DISA tee of a completely different
also DISA tee of a completely different
also DISA tee of a completely different level from what I’ve been saying to you
level from what I’ve been saying to you
level from what I’ve been saying to you can probably appreciate that this
can probably appreciate that this
can probably appreciate that this company was very difficult to get
company was very difficult to get
company was very difficult to get airborne because there was such a
airborne because there was such a
airborne because there was such a negative drag factor all around it in
negative drag factor all around it in
negative drag factor all around it in its home country and it took for the
its home country and it took for the
its home country and it took for the company to go and play in the West End
company to go and play in the West End
company to go and play in the West End of London and to play on Broadway and to
of London and to play on Broadway and to
of London and to play on Broadway and to tour many other parts of the world and
tour many other parts of the world and
tour many other parts of the world and to make that award-winning movie before
to make that award-winning movie before
to make that award-winning movie before the old opera going fraternity of South
the old opera going fraternity of South
the old opera going fraternity of South Africa were prepared to admit its
Africa were prepared to admit its
Africa were prepared to admit its authenticity and here’s the thing if you
authenticity and here’s the thing if you
authenticity and here’s the thing if you want a lead change you have to believe
want a lead change you have to believe
want a lead change you have to believe in your NA authenticity and trust it
in your NA authenticity and trust it
in your NA authenticity and trust it despite the flack and there were really
despite the flack and there were really
despite the flack and there were really times when I don’t know I almost feared
times when I don’t know I almost feared
times when I don’t know I almost feared for my life there was such vitriol
for my life there was such vitriol
for my life there was such vitriol around what it was that we were trying
around what it was that we were trying
around what it was that we were trying to do now another thing that I
to do now another thing that I
to do now another thing that I discovered and was delighted by in the
discovered and was delighted by in the
discovered and was delighted by in the context of my South African adventure
context of my South African adventure
context of my South African adventure within these same townships I’ve just
within these same townships I’ve just
within these same townships I’ve just been talking about which are so in 8ly
been talking about which are so in 8ly
been talking about which are so in 8ly musical again and again I would come
musical again and again I would come
musical again and again I would come across people playing musical
across people playing musical
across people playing musical instruments playing them brilliantly
instruments playing them brilliantly
instruments playing them brilliantly with utmost virtuosity but the
with utmost virtuosity but the
with utmost virtuosity but the instruments themselves were not
instruments themselves were not
instruments themselves were not conventional you know guy playing a
conventional you know guy playing a
conventional you know guy playing a violin it wasn’t a violin like you and I
violin it wasn’t a violin like you and I
violin it wasn’t a violin like you and I know a violin
know a violin
know a violin it was actually something he or she had
it was actually something he or she had
it was actually something he or she had made themselves out of an oil can and a
made themselves out of an oil can and a
made themselves out of an oil can and a bit of wood and some strings strung
bit of wood and some strings strung
bit of wood and some strings strung across and a bow made out of a bit of
across and a bow made out of a bit of
across and a bow made out of a bit of bamboo stick or a drum the same or a
bamboo stick or a drum the same or a
bamboo stick or a drum the same or a trumpet or a guitar all home made you
trumpet or a guitar all home made you
trumpet or a guitar all home made you know that amazing phrase in Nelson
know that amazing phrase in Nelson
know that amazing phrase in Nelson Mandela’s necessity is the mother of
Mandela’s necessity is the mother of
Mandela’s necessity is the mother of invention if you’re innately musical you
invention if you’re innately musical you
invention if you’re innately musical you have a story to tell you want to tell it
have a story to tell you want to tell it
have a story to tell you want to tell it through a certain instrument you can’t
through a certain instrument you can’t
through a certain instrument you can’t possibly afford to buy the instrument so
possibly afford to buy the instrument so
possibly afford to buy the instrument so you make your own and the authenticity
you make your own and the authenticity
you make your own and the authenticity is about your determination to make that
is about your determination to make that
is about your determination to make that shitty old instrument sound awesome
shitty old instrument sound awesome
shitty old instrument sound awesome right this violin I’m talking about that
right this violin I’m talking about that
right this violin I’m talking about that I heard made out of an oil can in a bit
I heard made out of an oil can in a bit
I heard made out of an oil can in a bit of wood sounded as good as a
of wood sounded as good as a
of wood sounded as good as a Stradivarius because of the sheer
Stradivarius because of the sheer
Stradivarius because of the sheer authentic will of the person behind it
authentic will of the person behind it
authentic will of the person behind it you know a great instrument is all well
you know a great instrument is all well
you know a great instrument is all well and good they’re quite attractive to
and good they’re quite attractive to
and good they’re quite attractive to look at but actually any great
look at but actually any great
look at but actually any great instrument will only really lift off and
instrument will only really lift off and
instrument will only really lift off and become a vessel of soul if the person
become a vessel of soul if the person
become a vessel of soul if the person behind it wills it so so I thought
behind it wills it so so I thought
behind it wills it so so I thought wouldn’t it be interesting to take that
wouldn’t it be interesting to take that
wouldn’t it be interesting to take that idea back to the first world I say the
idea back to the first world I say the
idea back to the first world I say the first world the UK is hardly the first
first world the UK is hardly the first
first world the UK is hardly the first world anymore is it it’s more like the
world anymore is it it’s more like the
world anymore is it it’s more like the fifth or sixth but anyway let that rest
fifth or sixth but anyway let that rest
fifth or sixth but anyway let that rest I thought would it be interesting to see
I thought would it be interesting to see
I thought would it be interesting to see if we could create a whole Orchestra of
if we could create a whole Orchestra of
if we could create a whole Orchestra of instruments to be played by orchestral
instruments to be played by orchestral
instruments to be played by orchestral musicians in London but where all the
musicians in London but where all the
musicians in London but where all the instruments were made from rubbish would
instruments were made from rubbish would
instruments were made from rubbish would it be possible
it be possible
it be possible so I set up an 11-week challenge some of
so I set up an 11-week challenge some of
so I set up an 11-week challenge some of the leading instrument makers throughout
the leading instrument makers throughout
the leading instrument makers throughout the UK and I said I want a complete
the UK and I said I want a complete
the UK and I said I want a complete Symphony Orchestra of instruments from
Symphony Orchestra of instruments from
Symphony Orchestra of instruments from you please but you can only use
you please but you can only use
you please but you can only use materials that you find on scrap heaps
materials that you find on scrap heaps
materials that you find on scrap heaps and in recycling centers now the project
and in recycling centers now the project
and in recycling centers now the project was interesting because of course it was
was interesting because of course it was
was interesting because of course it was very difficult
very difficult
very difficult there were many tries fail try fail you
there were many tries fail try fail you
there were many tries fail try fail you know instruments falling apart in from
know instruments falling apart in from
know instruments falling apart in from instruments just sounding rubbish
instruments just sounding rubbish
instruments just sounding rubbish instruments that actually injured
instruments that actually injured
instruments that actually injured musicians while they were trying to play
musicians while they were trying to play
musicians while they were trying to play them it went forward and back it was
them it went forward and back it was
them it went forward and back it was very stressful particularly because at
very stressful particularly because at
very stressful particularly because at the end of this 11 week period I decided
the end of this 11 week period I decided
the end of this 11 week period I decided that we would play at the BBC Proms
that we would play at the BBC Proms
that we would play at the BBC Proms which is the world’s largest and most
which is the world’s largest and most
which is the world’s largest and most prestigious or kes
prestigious or kes
prestigious or kes music festival that we would play this
music festival that we would play this
music festival that we would play this scrapheap orchestra would perform live
scrapheap orchestra would perform live
scrapheap orchestra would perform live on TV etc etc but the big thing was once
on TV etc etc but the big thing was once
on TV etc etc but the big thing was once we’d more or less got the instruments as
we’d more or less got the instruments as
we’d more or less got the instruments as good as we could was was finding a way
good as we could was was finding a way
good as we could was was finding a way of willing those British orchestral
of willing those British orchestral
of willing those British orchestral musicians to will the instruments to
musicians to will the instruments to
musicians to will the instruments to sing and to sound amazing again to find
sing and to sound amazing again to find
sing and to sound amazing again to find that authenticity within them and at the
that authenticity within them and at the
that authenticity within them and at the end of the day it fell to me because of
end of the day it fell to me because of
end of the day it fell to me because of my innate authenticity and belief in
my innate authenticity and belief in
my innate authenticity and belief in this project that that was what spread
this project that that was what spread
this project that that was what spread like wildfire and in the end the
like wildfire and in the end the
like wildfire and in the end the musicians were able to take it on and
musicians were able to take it on and
musicians were able to take it on and look at this what an amazing finale to
look at this what an amazing finale to
look at this what an amazing finale to the project
the project
the project [Music]
I’m guessing you thought that sounded
I’m guessing you thought that sounded fairly authentic I think it did too
fairly authentic I think it did too
fairly authentic I think it did too authentic in a very earthy kind of where
authentic in a very earthy kind of where
authentic in a very earthy kind of where I think Tchaikovsky would have been
I think Tchaikovsky would have been
I think Tchaikovsky would have been would have been quite pleased and in in
would have been quite pleased and in in
would have been quite pleased and in in honesty you know where there is a will
honesty you know where there is a will
honesty you know where there is a will there’s a way and there’s one very final
there’s a way and there’s one very final
there’s a way and there’s one very final project I want to just quickly share
project I want to just quickly share
project I want to just quickly share with you which is in a way taught me
with you which is in a way taught me
with you which is in a way taught me more about authenticity than anything
more about authenticity than anything
more about authenticity than anything else I’ve ever been involved with my
else I’ve ever been involved with my
else I’ve ever been involved with my youngest child was born ten years ago
youngest child was born ten years ago
youngest child was born ten years ago with cerebral palsy and a few years into
with cerebral palsy and a few years into
with cerebral palsy and a few years into her life I started to wonder why it was
her life I started to wonder why it was
her life I started to wonder why it was that I don’t meet musicians with
that I don’t meet musicians with
that I don’t meet musicians with disability in any of the orchestras with
disability in any of the orchestras with
disability in any of the orchestras with which I work anywhere in the world and
which I work anywhere in the world and
which I work anywhere in the world and with London 2012 fast approaching as it
with London 2012 fast approaching as it
with London 2012 fast approaching as it was and the Paralympic Games and so on I
was and the Paralympic Games and so on I
was and the Paralympic Games and so on I thought it was time to form a new
thought it was time to form a new
thought it was time to form a new Orchestra a virtuoso Orchestra but with
Orchestra a virtuoso Orchestra but with
Orchestra a virtuoso Orchestra but with the one core difference that every
the one core difference that every
the one core difference that every musician in it has a disability now the
musician in it has a disability now the
musician in it has a disability now the thing that has been so interesting about
thing that has been so interesting about
thing that has been so interesting about working with these musicians from the
working with these musicians from the
working with these musicians from the British paraorchestra is the degree to
British paraorchestra is the degree to
British paraorchestra is the degree to which they are truly authentic in
which they are truly authentic in
which they are truly authentic in everything that they do musically to
everything that they do musically to
everything that they do musically to give you an example
give you an example
give you an example normally when musicians decide to
normally when musicians decide to
normally when musicians decide to improvise together there will be a
improvise together there will be a
improvise together there will be a terrible long pause before anyone does
terrible long pause before anyone does
terrible long pause before anyone does anything because everyone is fearful of
anything because everyone is fearful of
anything because everyone is fearful of looking like an idiot and making the
looking like an idiot and making the
looking like an idiot and making the wrong call and doing the inappropriate
wrong call and doing the inappropriate
wrong call and doing the inappropriate thing so everyone sort of sits on their
thing so everyone sort of sits on their
thing so everyone sort of sits on their hands waiting for someone else to start
hands waiting for someone else to start
hands waiting for someone else to start first and that pause can go on for an
first and that pause can go on for an
first and that pause can go on for an awfully long time it’s very embarrassing
awfully long time it’s very embarrassing
awfully long time it’s very embarrassing now with the first four musicians of the
now with the first four musicians of the
now with the first four musicians of the paraorchestra the whole process from
paraorchestra the whole process from
paraorchestra the whole process from sitting down to making glorious music
sitting down to making glorious music
sitting down to making glorious music took about five minutes because if
took about five minutes because if
took about five minutes because if you’re in a wheelchair or you are
you’re in a wheelchair or you are
you’re in a wheelchair or you are visually impaired or you don’t have
visually impaired or you don’t have
visually impaired or you don’t have hearing whatever your impairment might
hearing whatever your impairment might
hearing whatever your impairment might be you have in an eighth don’t give it
be you have in an eighth don’t give it
be you have in an eighth don’t give it don’t give a toss kind of attitude
don’t give a toss kind of attitude
don’t give a toss kind of attitude towards life you know you don’t really
towards life you know you don’t really
towards life you know you don’t really bother you don’t sweat the small stuff
bother you don’t sweat the small stuff
bother you don’t sweat the small stuff so it’s naturally there for an
so it’s naturally there for an
so it’s naturally there for an authenticity which shines through you’re
authenticity which shines through you’re
authenticity which shines through you’re not trying to conform or to be like
not trying to conform or to be like
not trying to conform or to be like anyone else you are truly and uniquely
anyone else you are truly and uniquely
anyone else you are truly and uniquely yourself the project’s gone from
yourself the project’s gone from
yourself the project’s gone from strength to strength it made its debut
strength to strength it made its debut
strength to strength it made its debut at the closing ceremony of the 2012
at the closing ceremony of the 2012
at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games it’s now touring abroad
Paralympic Games it’s now touring abroad
Paralympic Games it’s now touring abroad a great deal doing all sorts of amazing
a great deal doing all sorts of amazing
a great deal doing all sorts of amazing collaborative projects and again has
collaborative projects and again has
collaborative projects and again has been very hard to
been very hard to
been very hard to to life because so many people have a
to life because so many people have a
to life because so many people have a problem putting the words disability and
problem putting the words disability and
problem putting the words disability and excellence into the same sentence even
excellence into the same sentence even
excellence into the same sentence even though we’ve had the Paralympics now for
though we’ve had the Paralympics now for
though we’ve had the Paralympics now for over 50 years which is proved beyond
over 50 years which is proved beyond
over 50 years which is proved beyond reasonable doubt that people watch the
reasonable doubt that people watch the
reasonable doubt that people watch the Paralympics because it is world-class
Paralympics because it is world-class
Paralympics because it is world-class sport not really because it’s about
sport not really because it’s about
sport not really because it’s about disability the same should and must be
disability the same should and must be
disability the same should and must be true in music so I want to leave you now
true in music so I want to leave you now
true in music so I want to leave you now with a beautiful performance the British
with a beautiful performance the British
with a beautiful performance the British paraorchestra of a song which is
paraorchestra of a song which is
paraorchestra of a song which is entirely appropriate to my theme today
entirely appropriate to my theme today
entirely appropriate to my theme today true colours the idea of finding within
true colours the idea of finding within
true colours the idea of finding within yourself and within those around you a
yourself and within those around you a
yourself and within those around you a deep sense of possibility of potential
deep sense of possibility of potential
deep sense of possibility of potential of seeing beyond the external the
of seeing beyond the external the
of seeing beyond the external the distracting to the true pure unique
distracting to the true pure unique
distracting to the true pure unique authenticity within each and every
authenticity within each and every
authenticity within each and every individual and as you see this track
individual and as you see this track
individual and as you see this track start the first voice you hear is from
start the first voice you hear is from
start the first voice you hear is from Lynne in the paraorchestra who has
Lynne in the paraorchestra who has
Lynne in the paraorchestra who has cerebral palsy and cannot speak
cerebral palsy and cannot speak
cerebral palsy and cannot speak conventionally and just before this
conventionally and just before this
conventionally and just before this recording took place we found a new
recording took place we found a new
recording took place we found a new technology which means that she can sing
technology which means that she can sing
technology which means that she can sing through her computer so here she is
through her computer so here she is
through her computer so here she is singing for the very first time in her
singing for the very first time in her
singing for the very first time in her life the choir singing with the
life the choir singing with the
life the choir singing with the paraorchestra are from North London
paraorchestra are from North London
paraorchestra are from North London there are a hundred of them they’re all
there are a hundred of them they’re all
there are a hundred of them they’re all children twenty-five percent of them are
children twenty-five percent of them are
children twenty-five percent of them are profoundly deaf and they all sign as
profoundly deaf and they all sign as
profoundly deaf and they all sign as they sing it’s a really beautiful thing
they sing it’s a really beautiful thing
they sing it’s a really beautiful thing to watch this German thank you here is
to watch this German thank you here is
to watch this German thank you here is the British paraorchestra
the British paraorchestra
the British paraorchestra [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
don’t be discouraged Oh
don’t be discouraged Oh [Music]
[Music]
[Music] it’s hard to take courage in a world
it’s hard to take courage in a world
it’s hard to take courage in a world full of people you tense
full of people you tense
full of people you tense and like darkness
and like darkness
and like darkness you feel so small
Oh
Oh [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] Oh
Oh
Oh [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
Oh
Oh [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
Charles is such an honor such an honor
Charles is such an honor such an honor thank you thank you you’re such
”
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