Walkathon update

Edinburgh’s own Zumba Boys, will be on hand on Saturday 20th July turning up the heat in their own style with motivating music and warm up moves to get everyone in the mood for the Walkathon. David and Tom’s Zumba classes are great fun so we jumped when they offered to support the event. We know the boys will certainly get you lot jumping – for joy – and once the Zumba Boys have got you going you will be raring to raise as much as possible for the NEN – Thanks boys – see you there 😉

Ann Confrey, NEN Board 

Zumba Boys

 

‘Classical music the world over’

Chamber Philharmonia Cologne are coming to town later this month …

03-Edinburgh

“Classical music the world over” – this is the motto of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne. It is irrelevant for our musicians whether they are playing in a little village church, in the open air, in Cologne Cathedral or in the Sydney Opera House – their enthusiasm to play music is the same every time.

The objective is simple – we want to inspire as many people as possible across all generations to enjoy classical music. The popularity of our ensemble is reflected in the fact that the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne gives around 300 concerts a year around the globe and listeners throughout the world look forward to a musical encounter with our exceptionally talented musicians.

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne was founded in the city whose name they bear: Cologne. The city that is famous throughout the world for its University of Music and its musical and instrumental teaching. Generations of musicians have been trained here for many decades who, in terms of their musicality, are unparalleled around the world. Taking advantage of this pool of talent, a stock of outstanding musicians has accrued that in a changing cast of musicians take our motto across the world.

Since November 2009, the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne has a very special partner at their side – the Mercedes-Benz Centre in Cologne. As part of a creative cooperation, this world renowned company, via its branch in Cologne, thrilled by our musical concept provides the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne with a comfortable tour bus. It enables our musicians to travel quickly and comfortably to the many varied concert locations. In return, the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, in close cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Center Cologne, organises special concerts for the car company’s special customers. The remarkable construction of the Mercedes-Benz Center is transformed in the process into a really top-class concert palace. This results in the smell of new cars mixing with the sounds of classical music.

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne is at home all over the world. Our tours regularly take us to New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland and many other countries – and of course to Germany. In this context, the selection of works and soloists takes on a special significance. The multifaceted composition of the ensemble provides every member of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne with the opportunity to perform as a soloist.

The permanently expanding repertoire of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne consists primarily of hand-picked pieces. The real appeal of our programme lies in the meeting of popular and unknown works from a wide variety of musical epochs. This sees familiar greats like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi in dialogue with works from people such as Sergei Prokofieff through to the “King of Tango” Astor Piazzolla. This mix promises great diversity of the very highest order, without us having to preach to the audience in the process. After all, music is for entertainment and not for instruction.

To inspire people across the world to enjoy classical music – that’s what we view as our maxim!

Quite simply:

            Classical music the world over!

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 Chamber Philharmonia Cologne

 

Gwen Chrystal

Sad to report the death of North Edinburgh activist Gwen Chrystal, who died on Wednesday after a short illness.

Gwen, who was from Royston Wardieburn, was an active campaigner on a host of community issues over the years in Greater Pilton; from the Western General Action Group – which fought to retain A&E, Maternity and Paediatric services at the local hospital – to the current North Edinburgh Fights Back activities Gwen could always be counted on to rally to the cause.

A popular figure and a warm and friendly face, Gwen will be missed by her friends and colleagues in the North Edinburgh community and our condolences go out to her family.

We’ll post funeral details when we have them.

GwenChrystal

 

Stevey Hay

Stevey Hay’s funeral will be held today at 12pm in Warriston’s Lorimer Chapel.

Stevey, a hugely talented musician, died of a heart attack on 3 July at the age of only 51.

Muirhouse man Stevey was well known locally as the welcoming face of Muirhouse Millennium Centre until he was made redundant last year, but his musical talents as a blues singer and guitarist from an early age ensured he would be appreciated by a wider audience on far bigger stages.

Stevey loved making music from an early age and formed his first band, The Eploited, in 1978 at the tender age of sixteen. He never really stopped playing since, and Stevey’s new band was due to appear alongside blues legend Muddy Waters’ son Mud Morganfield at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival later this month with his new band, Stevey Hay’s Shades of Blue.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival producer Roger Spence said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Stevey Hay.

“He was a much-loved regular performer at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and was due to play in a headline show alongside Muddy Waters’ son in the festival this year. His unique brand of rocking, good-times blues will be a huge loss, not just to the festival, but to the blues world as a whole.”

A truly talented, friendly and warm guy, Stevey is survived by his wife Louise, daughter Jasmine and sons James and Steven.

BLUES MAN Stevey Hay (left)
BLUES MAN Stevey Hay (left)