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| Mark 19/6/2002 |
 Subject: Raff
in The Times (of London)Message: For those of you who don't read The Times, this appeared in the "Diary" column today: Pressed for cash by Jack Malvern JOACHIM RAFF, the world's unluckiest composer, has not done well in the past 120 years. Despite a formidable reputation in the 19th century, he has slid so far into obscurity that there apparently hasn't been a public performance of his work for 30 years. And so it would remain, were it not for a cleaning lady and her ironing board. Maureen Cummins, Lord and Lady Carnarvon's housekeeper for more than 30 years, has raised enough money through ironing shirts - at a pound a time - to ensure that Raff's Fifth Symphony will be played at the Chelsea Festival next week. "I've been trying to get it orchestrated for about six years," she tells me. "I first heard it 32 years ago when I was working for Lord Carnarvon in Newbury. I used to visit a shop called Ridley's Records on my days off. Mr Ridley used to play these unusual recordings that he'd been sent from Germany, and I was so inspired that I bought the record there and then. "The only way that I could think of raising money was through ironing. I got all my family and friends to give me things to iron and that way I've been able to raise £2,000. I've certainly gained a lot of muscles in my arms. I hope that Raff appreciates it." ________________________________________ The concert is next Tuesday and, as well as the "Lenore" Symphony, the programme features the "William Tell" Overture, Widor's Toccata from the Organ Symphony No.5 and Saint-Saën's Symphony No.3 - it'll be a long night. Full details at www.raff.org/news.htm. I'm going and will write a review for the July update. Cheers |
| Mark 20/6/2002 |
RE:
Raff in The Times (of London) IP: Logged Message: And as a follow up... The story obviously ticked the fancy of the Today Programme - the flagship morning drive-time news programme on the BBC's Radio 4 talk radio station. They carried a live interview with Maureen Cummings and even played the first 20 seconds or so of the "Lenore's" opening movement. It can do no harm. |
| Mark 26/6/2002 |
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