Tonic Jukebox History
WEEK SIX - GUEST DJs
Monday April 20
Guest DJ Sue from Tonic 4 My choice is the opening number of Company, a concept musical by Sondheim with no plot! It premiered in the UK at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1972, a year after our wedding, so it seemed very appropriate as the show is all about marriage. My husband’s sister was in the “Vocal Minority” (the chorus) unseen, under the stage with the orchestra. Naturally, we supported her by going many times, especially when, as understudy to Susan we used to get a last-minute call to say she “was on”. She used to say it was exhausting. It brings back so many memories of the early 70s and then in the 1990s, when our younger son played in the Uni band when Royal Holloway staged Company. https://youtu.be/KrEmscHU64Q |
Tuesday April 21
Guest DJ Jean from Tonic 1 Out of many my choice would be Beethovens 6th, 5th movement. When I was a rock and roll teenager I told my boss that I didn't like classical music. She and her husband immediately took me under their wing, taking me to the opera (Aida), concerts, and they introduced me to Chinese food. She loaned me four LP's; Tchaikovsky's 1st piano; Grieg's piano; the pastoral; and Scheherazade. When it was time to give them back I had to buy them. Years later I would make up stories to the music to baby girl number one. Years later my grandchildren particularly love the part of Fantasia when Mr Thunderstorm snuggles into the clouds and the sun and the shepherds emerge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFU9CqDt5so |
Wednesday April 22
Guest DJ Anne from Tonic 1 From 2005 until my retirement in 2009, I worked as a Reading Recovery Teacher in a Hackney Primary School. I was moved every time I heard the children sing their hearts out to their school song and I still am. Proud by Heather Small is definitely one of my 8 Desert Island Discs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaddo8Uh9S0 |
Thursday April 22
Guest DJ Janice from Tonic 4 Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel) So many to choose from but I have gone back in time to when my school friend and I were persuaded by our long suffering music teacher to join a choral society aged 14 or so. This piece came from the first concert we took part in. It was the start of a lifetimes love of singing albeit in choirs only! https://youtu.be/C66XCqWkhmw |
Friday April 23
Guest DJ Katharine from Tonic 2 Deh! Tu di in umile preghiera (Maria Stuarda, Donizetti) I arrived at Opera Up Close’s production at The Charterhouse last spring not knowing a note and left with a new firm favourite. Mary, Queen of Scots sings a final prayer with the chorus. It has a haunting beauty and builds in intensity. It never fails to send a shiver down my spine, and Mariella Devia’s powerful rendition is no exception. https://youtu.be/P_yAEtF7vRM |
Weekend April 23/24
Guest DJ Melissa from Tonic 2 Pachelbel's Canon This piece of music evokes memories of our wedding service. When we were signing the register, the organist played Pachelbel Canon in D Major. In this audio, the piece is played by James Galway and John Dankworth, accompanied by the wonderful Cleo Laine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH_OlP7de_I |