Back and ready for some Czech Stories

Hello again folks. Well the scribe has returned from over the pond. This isn't my own private blog so I promise to refrain from telling New York stories except to say that on our first night there we went to see the legend that is Les Paul play at the Iridium Jazz club. He was amazing (if I am as sprightly as him at 93 I will be a happy girlie) but in the middle of his set what should he play but my favourite (see previous blog post) song the "Tennessee Waltz'. As you can imagine I found it pretty difficult to keep a straight face. It was a little different from our Czech friend's rendition!

It would be great to start posting stories and memories of our Czech trip up here on the blog over the next few weeks, so Rudsambee members (and others of course) this is your chance to share your thoughts with the world (ok so that sounds a little grand but trust me it is quite liberating). Just drop stories, quips and general comments to my email and we'll put them up.

Rudsambee have a couple of weeks off for good behaviour but we'll be back rehearsing next week, preparing for our August concert.

Before I sign off I do feel it is important at this juncture to say a huge THANK YOU to Anne for organising our trip. We all had a really amazing time and it was largely due to Anne's planning. When she finally left us to enjoy a well earned break in Prague we stood on the platform for quarter of hour (seriously) trying to decide what to do next. I need say no more. Anne, you are the best!

so long for now
CSW

Goodness that was quick: baby watch and some more Czech

Morning all,
Well if you were to find an old wife and ask her to explain the key ways to bring on labour she may well tell you that hot curry works well, or a trip in a mini over cobbles (my mother's chosen method) or a long walk. However, a full day of recording with Rudsambee is the latest way to get that kiddo going. Welcome to the world, our newest affiliate member: Kay had a wee boy on Sunday morning. Just goes to show the power of a quick Tormis number! Congrats lady.

A second installment of our Czech vocab book. I thought I would today provide some useful info if you happen to meet a lovely Czech lady or gentleman:
You are my sweetheart: Jsi můj miláček. (the middle word sounds like 'mu-ey')
Will you marry me: Vezmeš si mě?
You're beautiful: Jsi krásná (the first word drops the 'j')

Well hope that is useful. Tune in tomorrow for our final post before we travel.

CSW

It's all done!

Well, Saturday came and (eventually) went. A very long day but we managed to complete our recording. It may have been sunny outside (at least for part of the day) but St Peter's, as usual, had its own unique climate. In fact if global warming ever gets so bad that Edinburgh is transformed into a desert landscape I really feel that those in the know will congregate in this building to escape the heat. The day started in an interesting way with our recording of 'Geographical Fugue'; one take ended with the exclamation 'oh pants' which is never a good sign but often an appropriate response to this piece of 'music'. Got it sorted eventually though and Susan and I giggled at the thought that we (the two sops) have only ever got this piece completely right twice- the first was the concert at Canongate Kirk last year and the second was the final take on Saturday. We smiled at our diva tendencies to only get it right when it matters ;-)

After a few bum notes, lots of stretching (man, standing up for eight hours is tough on the back) and, most of all, some great singing it was in the can (is that the right expression?...I am new to this recording artist business). Now poor old Helen just has to edit the whole thing...good luck with that! Oh and what are the chances that on the day Rudsambee want to record, a helicopter spends all day flying backwards and forwards over the church. If you were flying this thing beware- you are now on the Rudsambee hit list (otherwise known as the Chris-will-tickle-you-until-you-pass-out list).

Anyways, only two more sleeps until we hit the Czech Republic. A few of our number have left for the continent today (hope you are having a great time guys!). So I thought I would update the blog each day before then with a few Czech phrases and points of interest that might help. So a couple of phrases...

Nice to meet you: Těší mě (jeshi m-na)
I'll have a beer please: Dám si jedno pivo prosím (actually this sounds exactly as you would imagine. Good on the Czechs for simplifying where needed!)
Would you like to dance?: Smím prosit?

But I couldn't finish this post without mentioning the difference between British and Czech underground/subway announcements. In Britain (actually I'm basing this observation on London) a polite lady tells us to 'please mind the gap' and to 'please mind the doors'. In the Czech Republic apparently the announcer says something like this...Ukončete výstup a nástup, dveře se zavírají! which means 'Finish exiting and boarding the train, the doors are closing!' So much more direct than we are! Basically 'stop dilly-dallying around you fool and get off before you lose a body part in the closing door'. Fabulous- I love it.

Anyways (this is the final 'anyways') must just mention Kay who is due to have the baby sometime in the next week. She amazingly managed nearly the whole recording session. I'm pretty sure this baby will come out with the rhythms for 'Hide and Seek' already down! Much love and all the best for the next couple of weeks Kay. We'll miss you. Of course she isn't the only member of our group to be expecting. Rachel and Jake are also waiting on a wee one so I'll add a 'baby watch' entry when we have news.

Over and out until our second Czech culture report tomorrow
CSW

p.s. in answer to Chris' (my esteemed editor's) inserted comment of last post, no this diva will not be setting fire to any tables...sadly...barring any accident...

Surely not...someone more organised than Anne!

Now, for those who know the Rudsambee setup it will not have escaped your notice that the group would not function without two people. The first of these is of course our valiant conductor Ollie who chooses music, sets the rhythm (sometimes!) and teaches us the words with show-and-tell cards (this btw is how we learnt 'Dindirin' There were even pictures!). The second leader figure is our resident organiser Anne who basically ensures that life functions effectively. My guess is that if ever she were to take umbrage and leave, the whole place would fall apart... if not the world at large.

However, recent publications would suggest that (shock horror) there is someone more organised than Anne. We are, as hopefully you are all well aware, going global in a couple of weeks and heading off to the Czech Republic. Anne has ably sorted out the whole shebang. Yet she sent me a jolly interesting attachment this week called the 'Susice Brochure' which was created by the 'Anne-equivalent' at Shrewsbury Cantata Choir, a group who are going to be performing with the Svatobor Sušice Choir imminently. The brochure (which even has colour pictures!) has detailed descriptions of the whole visit down to the amount of liquid you can take on the plane. Apparently, and I quote, "freight or cargo items cannot be accepted as passenger baggage." Act on this information folks! We didn't think it could be done but there is someone in the musical sphere more organised than Anne.

Shrewsbury Cantata Choir, we salute you!


Svatobor Sušice Choir in the Canongate Kirk during their visit to Edinburgh in 2007