Tag: music

3rd November 2017 Vienna, Austria

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Sir Neville Marriner Memorial Concert, 14 November 2017

One year ago, I attended with my mother a concert in Vienna by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.  It was a sombre occasion.  The concert had been due to be conducted by the founder of the Academy, Sir Neville Marriner, aged 92.  But tragically, the great musician had died in his sleep, […]

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24th December 2015

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

My Festive 50 favourite songs: From “Suzanne” to “Bra Timing”

As 2015 comes to an end, it’s time to get personal again. Let’s talk about… music. My 2014 blog, “Festive 50: From “Every Little Bit Hurts” to “Stay with Me” told how a friend said “you like music – why don’t you tweet about that?” So I did* (*a quote from one of my favourite […]

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23rd November 2015

Sian MacLeod

by Sian MacLeod

Former UK Ambassador to Serbia

Diplomatic Notes and Instruments: Blog for St Cecilia’s Day

A colleague in the Balkans recently said “tell me about music and diplomacy”. Sitting in Vienna on a cold, grey Sunday that is the day of St Cecilia patron saint of music, seems as good a time as any. A flurry of academic writing has yet to persuade me of music’s capacity ‘to model international […]

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27th July 2015 New York, USA

Charles Arrowsmith

by Charles Arrowsmith

Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Consul-General

BBC Proms: The Special Relationship Never Sounded Better

Family Guy probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the BBC Proms. This annual festival, which started in London on July 17 and runs through to September 12, is the 76-course meal (plus sides) at the heart of the British classical music calendar. Now in its 120th year, it continues […]

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19th December 2014

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Festive 50: From “Every Little Bit Hurts" To "Stay With Me"

It’s a delicate business judging how much personal stuff to put in a blog.  In the past I’ve written official blogs with a rich mix of personal and work entries.  Then Twitter came along and much personal material, such as my famous series #reasonstolikeIstanbul, was swept away into the Twitterverse. I’ve so far tweeted out […]

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20th October 2014 Havana, Cuba

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by Tim Cole

Former British Ambassador to Cuba

Britain through Cuban eyes

I’m still smiling. We’ve just come to the end of ten very successful days of British culture in Havana; ten days of British music, history, theatre, science, film and dance. There were events throughout the city, at all times of day and night and for a range of audiences, including kids. We explored the breadth […]

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20th February 2014 Havana, Cuba

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by Tim Cole

Former British Ambassador to Cuba

A musical journey, from the UK to Cuba and back again!

My thanks to UK singer Holly Holden for this guest blog on making music in Cuba and how a chance meeting in Havana led to her touring Europe’s top festivals with UK dub-step pioneer DJ Mala. When I was thirteen my mother took me to see the documentary film Buena Vista Social Club. I remember leaving […]

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7th February 2014 Beirut, Lebanon

Tom Fletcher

by Tom Fletcher

Former British Ambassador to Lebanon

DIVA DIPLOMACY – ‘ONE LEBANON: UNITED FOR TOMORROW’

Last Saturday, twenty Lebanese stars performed together in a powerful rejection of divisive politics and sectarianism. Pop idols, divas, comedians, sportsmen, rappers and actors put on the best possible display of the real Lebanon – talented, resilient, and proud of their country. It was an extraordinary night. The charismatic Anthony Touma got the largest screams, […]

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