Musical evening

Before going out to do the weekly grocery shop this morning, I phoned osteomyologist Clive Taylor, aware after a long night's sleep of how much I need a physical re-tune. Fortunately I was able book an appointment to see Clive at six fifteen this evening. His day is fully booked. It would mean that I'm unable to accompany Clare to the RWCMD Friends-Connect recital this evening, but he said he'd ring if he had a cancellation earlier. I was very relieved when he called a three fifteen to say he could see me in half an hour. Thankfully his treatment room is just over ten minutes walk from here. 

I came away from the forty minute session feeling more physically balanced and relaxed than I have for a while. We had supper, then caught a bus from Cowbridge Road, just after six to get to RWCMD in good time. Buses are twice as frequent in the evening along Cowbridge Road than down Cathedral or Romilly Roads, simply because there are more services on the route. We tend habitually to go to the latter for a bus rather than the former. It's not much further away than the Llandaff Fields stop in fact. Romilly Road stop is nearest but, after the rush-hour, buses are every twenty minutes and don't always arrive when they should.

When we arrived and took our seats near the front of the auditorium, we found that the new College Principal Helena Gaunt was sitting in front of us and introduced herself before the concert started. She was appointed a year ago, but has only recently moved house to Cardiff, and is now living in Canton. Three of the four students performing in the concert were recipients of grants made by the Connect support programme to which Clare subscribes. 

A harpsichordist and a viola da gamba player had been funded to spend a week in Provence playing with an Early Music specialist, before performing in a concert there. The singer was funded to spend a week with an opera singing coach in Milan. A 'cellist joined the first two, to perform a couple of trio works by eighteenth century German and French composers I'd never heard of. Delightful playful dance music. The harpsichordist then switched to piano and played a Chopin nocturne, then we heard four very different songs and arias from the singer, with piano accompaniment.

Afterwards, there was a light supper reception cum networking opportunity. I got chatting to a young woman who works for the College fund raising team. She told me she was from Ystrad Mynach, my birthplace. I can't remember when I last met another native of my home town.