Back to England!

On Monday I returned to England thus concluding my ERASMUS exchange in Vienna. I’ll say my thanks and give a brief summary later, but first I’ll fill you in on my last few days in the Austrian Capital.

Firstly, I have never been as cold in my entire life as I was last week. The temperature in Vienna plummeted to a biting sub 15 degrees Celsius for almost a week! I was looking forward to going home, back to the ‘normal’ weather! I was wearing literally every piece of clothing I had with me. I noticed people stamping their feet when waiting for a bus, not to keep them warm, but to stop the water on their shoes from freezing and sticking them to the ground!!!

Last week, I went to my final opera; a superb production of Don Giovanni (my teacher sneaked into the pit ten minutes before the end – because trombones are only in the last bit, not because he was almost three hours late!), and I depped for my other teacher in the Hofmusikkapelle Orchestra. It was the Mozart Coronation Mass with the Vienna Boys Choir (who were very impressive). I had the words of advice instilled into me in my junior banding days clearly ringing in my ears as I went on to play; ‘don’t mess it up’! I also found out that I'm through to the last eight for the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition - so I'm dead chuffed! More info at http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?offset=25&id=2481. The picture is of me performing ‘The Hunting of the Snark’ at a Class Evening last week (it’s modern so I’m allowed to wear a silly hat!).

I have been commissioned by the Brass Herald magazine to write two articles on Vienna; the first is a general one on musical life in the City and the second from a students’ perspective…a good job I did this blog to keep a record of the goings on!

A great anecdote from the last week occurred when Anna (with her quintessential Hertfordshire accent) and Elisabeth (with her Austrian accent) were out having a meal together. An elderly Scottish couple on the next table remarked, ‘Oh, it’s lovely to hear an American accent again!’ Good thing I wasn’t there!

Finally, on the way home I was informed that I would have to pay an excess baggage charge. I had just less than 40kg but it was a city hopper flight so the baggage allowance was only 20kg. Not sure whether that’s the same for all flights but I’m sure I had a bigger allowance on the way out. I was speaking to the assistant in German until he informed me that my luggage incurred a charge of almost £400. At which point the Englishman inside me reared its ugly head and I exclaimed, ‘Oh dear old boy, I hope you’re extracting the Michael’ – or words to similar effect! He then explained that it was because it was a two flight journey and I had to pay a ridiculously extortionate fee including baggage handler costs at Amsterdam! Grrr!

I would summarise my time in Vienna as probably the most beneficial experience of my life, both from a musical perspective and also on a personal level. There are several factors which have contributed significantly to this but still, I honestly feel that everything about the trip was perfect. There isn’t an aspect that I can think of which could have gone any better (except the excess baggage charges!). Right from when this exchange was conceived, Mr Bousfield has taken a keen interest in making sure everything worked out and this, along with his musical influence have been invaluable to me during my stay. I also greatly value Dietmar’s input; he is a phenomenal performer and his teaching has been extremely inspiring, giving me an insight into the Austrian heritage, whilst not detracting from my previous British influences.

Vienna is a beautiful city where it is difficult not to gain from the cultural diversity it has to offer. The support given to me by the Royal Philharmonic Society was so valuable in providing me with the opportunity to see opera performances, listen to concerts and visit museums; totally immersing myself in the Viennese culture.

However, even with this foundation, Vienna would not have been the same experience without my friends. Memories of the time I spent with Chris will stay with/haunt me forever! Anna, Elisabeth and Adrian have been super friends and really helped me to feel at home. My flatmates were excellent, all hard working with a fun side too and it was so nice to see some familiar faces in the form of visitors (John and Vicky and my brother – who has just invited me out for a drink, but I’m resisting the temptation to carry on writing!).

The International Office at the University was always friendly and helpful and the trip into the mountains which they organised remains a wonderful memory.

My accommodation at Gasometer was perfect; facilities, location, staff and sauna! And Vienna simply wouldn’t be the same without the warm reception at the Billabong – I know it’s not very Austrian (Elisabeth!) but a must if you visit the city – just don’t mention my name!

The German course I took before I departed and also the one I enrolled upon whilst I was there, really helped me to further the experience and the practise facilities both at the University and at Gasometer were more than adequate. I feel that my time in Vienna was highly successful musically, but I put this down to the incentives and personal goals I set myself on a regular basis – it would have been very easy to have done very little on a daily basis. With the backing I had though, I would have felt guilty if I had taken even one day off!

So that brings an end to my blog; I hope someone somewhere has gained some benefit or amusement from my writings! If you have, please do show your appreciation by donating to the Steven Haynes Benevolent Fund which currently owes a debt to Mr Haynes (senior) for a £400 excess baggage bill!

I look forward to returning to the RCM on Monday!

Back to work!

Right, lots to report on since my last entry so I’ll get going straight away! Oh Happy New Year by the way!

My Dad came out to see me on 21^st December (and also to take some of my things home so to avoid a déjà vu involving excess baggage charges!). He seemed to have a good time here and the locals liked him too. In fact, an Austrian chap took pity on my Dad’s follicular challenged situation in the intense cold and kindly donated him his hat! Sorry Dad!

I spent five days at home over Christmas and saw lots of friends and family, before returning to Vienna for the New Years celebrations (which included a spectacular firework display and a midnight waltz – how Viennese!). The photo is of me and Adrian, who I mentioned in my last entry but without a formal introduction! Adrian is an English guy working here in Air Traffic Control at the airport. He has become a great friend and I hope to keep in touch with him after I have left Vienna. But anyway, that’s not happening for a couple of weeks yet so I’ll hold back the goodbye’s until then!

On 2^nd January, Mr Bousfield invited me to his house in the Vienna Woods for a lesson and some good food. (I hadn’t eaten so well since Christmas Day when sister-in-law Caroline excelled herself once again with her culinary skills – well done bro, you picked a good ‘en there!). We also went walking in the woods, after donning ski outfits and sturdy boots – a good job too, the snow was waist high in some places! I’d never experienced anything quite like it before, the scenery was breathtaking and there were deer and wild boar roaming around freely! And to think he just opens the curtains and sees it every day (although I don’t envy having to shovel the snow from the drive!).

A serious problem here, and one of the highest causes of accidental death, is ‘Dachlawine’. This is when the temperature rises above zero and the snow begins to melt. Imagine a full roof of foot thick snow falling on your head! Ouch! There are signs everywhere warning of the dangers – something I’d never thought of before I came here!

Unfortunately, I had to return home just after New Year to attend my Grandfather’s funeral. I played before the service, which I thought would be a fitting tribute to the support he gave my musical endeavours. On the return flight to Vienna, I tried a flight from Leeds (yes, we do have planes there!), which called off at Amsterdam. A great idea, until fog delays the first flight, you miss the connection and you’re stuck in Amsterdam airport for seven hours! Grrr! I hadn’t practised all day, and with a lesson the day after, drastic times called for drastic measures! I had a half hour wait before my train into the centre of Vienna, so I fearlessly opened my case, withdrew the weapon from within and practised in the middle of Vienna airport, and also on the train ride too, much to the bemusement of the locals! Still, I managed a good hour’s practise, although no one threw any money! Maybe next time I’ll play without the mute and they might pay me to shut up!

The other day a few of us went salsa dancing, which I was terrible at…but to lighten the tone, I saw a great sign the other day which read, ‘Office closed due to staff shortness’. I assume this meant that there were people off ill and not that they’d all shrunk the night before!

I have another recital at St Georges, Hanover Square on 15^th February (after I return to London), which I am busy preparing for and I’m currently writing an article about the Brisbane Excelsior Band for the Brass Herald magazine, so lots to do!

I also had a call from Mr Bousfield yesterday asking me to dep for him in the Hofkapelle Orchestra in a couple of weeks. I nearly weed myself! Then he told me there's no rehearsal and I did wee myself! Can't wait! Looks good on the CV though I guess.

So I’d better get some work done! Until next time!

Christmas Vienna

It would be a travesty not to write a blog about Vienna in the run up to Christmas before I head back to England. The City is a most beautiful sight at this time of year with snow, lights, Christmas markets and not a Santa in sight! No joke; they have ‘Christkind’ (or baby Jesus) bringing the presents instead – not sure how he manages with the big sack though!

Last week I saw the Philharmoniker perform the Mozart requiem and also a contemporary concert featuring Ian Bousfield playing in a duet for trombone and violin – very entertaining, although it was strange reading his biography in German!

Last week I had two concerts; the first, ‘An International Christmas’ featured all the exchange students. Chris and I performed a couple of pieces with a pianist, including ‘Cousins’, which the audience really enjoyed. The second concert was another ‘Class Evening’, featuring Dietmar’s students. I played a couple of solo pieces then at the end I played in the trombone ensemble for Elsa's Procession to the Minster. I was really impressed with the other students. They are very musical and the ensemble included alto, tenor, bass and contra bass trombones - what a difference that makes - it's an animal of an instrument!

Chris and Anna both left for home last week. Anna is returning in the New Year but Chris now continues his studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. It’s a shame but I suppose all good things come to an end. It really has been fantastic having him here and has made the time one of the most productive (and amusing!) periods of my life. I look forward to seeing him again very soon. Elisabeth has gone to Rome and Adam and my other flatmates have gone back home so it’s a little lonely at the moment! However, Adrian is obviously still here and I’ve been ‘hanging around’ with some American students (and blatantly picked up some of their lingo too!), which has been great fun.

So, I am now packing things up for my trip home for Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and spending time with my family. Then, on 28^th December I plan to come back to Vienna to have a lesson with Mr Bousfield before New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Oh and look out for Dietmar on the TV playing in the New Years Day Concert – I’ll be standing outside in the cold since the tickets are like gold dust!

The highlight of Vienna

Since my last entry I have indeed experienced the pinnacle of my time here…but more of that later! I managed to get though my recital in London relatively unscathed (my thanks to those who came along) and then had an excellent time in London and Vienna with my brother. Following this, I met up with an old friend and showed him around Bratislava and Vienna, so after a few days of ‘light’ playing, I’m now getting back into the swing of things. The next few weeks are just as busy as the ones just passed, with three auditions and two solo concerts to prepare for. The snow is falling, the Gluwein flowing (lethal stuff!) and the temperature is rarely venturing above freezing!

I saw the Vienna State Opera do La Traviata last week and had four (yes four!) trombone lessons. It’s interesting to observe the different system they have for teaching over here. My experience in London is that you have a lesson every week, in a room in college for an hour. Although this is often similar here too, they have a class system. For example, there are two trombone professors, each with a class, a deputy and a trombone classroom. Lessons are usually in the classroom and at the start of the year you are allocated a class, i.e. the teacher you will study with. If the teacher is too busy, you have a lesson from the deputy and if no one is teaching, the classroom is free for you to practise. Let’s take the other day for example when I had a lesson with Dietmar. Several of his class and the other class sat in and watched my lesson. Having an audience for a lesson is a little daunting at first, but watching someone else’s lesson is a great way to pick up ‘nuggets’ of information. Then, after the lesson had finished, Dietmar left the class, so I was free to practise in there. Shortly after though, he returned and listened, offering his advice momentarily – effectively a two an a half hour lesson – fantastic!

Each class then has a ‘class-evening’ where the students put on a concert. I played in one of the trombone ones last week and will play in the second one next week. It was good to hear all the other students perform and there are some very talented players here. Notably an 18 year old who did the entire Grondahl Concerto. Wow, he made me want to leave the instrument in the case!

Most of the other ERASMUS students go home after Christmas so I imagine the atmosphere will be slightly different. However, there is a Ring Cycle here in January which I am very much looking forward to.

Chris added to an ever growing list of anecdotes last week by venturing into someone’s practise room and asking in a German accent ‘Guten Tag, plis kan I hav zie musik stend!’ ‘Of course’, the girl replied in perfect English, with a perplexed look upon her face!

So, time for the highlight so far…Last week I went to see a Philharmoniker rehearsal in the Musik Verein. At the break I went to the gents and realised that I was standing at the urinal alongside Pierre Boulez! What a claim to fame!

A Brief return trip to Blighty

Firstly, apologies for the vast time elapsed since my previous post. The last couple of weeks have been rather busy, with a short trip to England and also, for those who are interested, preparing for a solo recital at St George's Hanover Square. (More details at http://www.stgeorgeshanoversquare.org/Events.htm.) Please note, the recital is this Wednesday, 23rd not 16th as it says on the site!

It was wonderful to return to England briefly and in the five days I was back, I managed to squeeze in a lesson, a masterclass, a rehearsal for my recital and seeing friends in London, an audition, the England game and seeing some old friends in Manchester and a trip home to see my family (oh, and a mouth watering Sunday Roast prepared by my sister-in-law – not a Wiener Schnitzel in sight!). The audition panel in Manchester realised that my attire (consisting of a suit, white shirt and bright red tie) was indeed in preparation for the England Argentina game of which, the first half an hour coincided with the audition. Still, after a quick dash to a friends house (then a quick dash back having realised I left my jacket in the warm up room!), I managed to see the second half…What a game!

Lessons with Dietmar are going really well; the other day, for my lesson at his house, I prepared the Albrechtsberger Alto Trombone Concerto. After hearing me play for a while he wanted to demonstrate how I could improve on what I had just played. His instrument was at work so he disappeared momentarily and returned with a mouthpiece, some masking tape and an old box. After wrapping masking tape around the shank of the mouthpiece, so it would fit in a larger instrument, he opened the box and produced an 1800’s Vienna Philharmonic Sackbut! He then proceeded to demonstrate on this antiquated relic of a trombone, making the most incredible sound – what’s that phrase about workmen and tools? Wow!

I’ve been to see two Berg operas; Wozzeck and Lulu. Both notoriously difficult for trombone, I was incredibly impressed with both of my teachers’ performances. I was even more impressed after learning that it was the first time Mr Bousfield had played Wozzeck with the orchestra and the first time that Dietmar had played Lulu in five years! However, that’s not all…that day Dietmar had a rehearsal for Lohengrin then he taught me and another pupil before dashing off to rehearse Bruckner 9 in the afternoon. Then he admitted that he’d better have a quick look at Lulu before the show since it had been a while since he had seen it! I asked him what it was like to have such a hard day ‘viel spass’ he replied…. ‘lots of fun’!!!!

Chris has started to do some orchestral rehearsals and performances here now, including a trumpet evening last week (See picture – Chris is second from the left). This highlights the different approach that we have taken towards our time here. As I mentioned on a previous blog entry, you really can do whatever you like here. For Chris, he wants to gain experience in playing in ensembles over here and adapting to the rotary valve trumpets. For me, I wanted to spend my time here on solo repertoire and working on technical aspects, although I would like to experience a little of what Chris is doing too!

The Philharmonia Orchestra performed at the Konzerthaus a few evenings ago. It was a very exciting concert with really great brass playing on show. It was enlightening too to hear a London Orchestra again and it really illustrated the differences between the two styles of playing. It was good to see Nigel Black (Head of Brass at the RCM) and also my teacher Byron Fulcher, who visited one of the local hostelries with me, Anna and several of his colleagues after the concert!

Anyway…I must go and practise for my recital and once that is over, I am very much looking forward to spending time with my brother, who is returning to Vienna with me for a few days. Oh, it has just started snowing too…how exciting!

Vienna Holidays

The weather is cold but sunny and the people of Vienna really made the most of their two days holiday last week. Unlike our British ‘Bank holidays’ where the large majority of shops and services still operate as normal, a holiday in Vienna seems to involve a complete shut down of just about everything! Fortunately though, the first of these days coincided with the time my friends, John and Vicky, were spending here. There is a great party atmosphere on the preceding evening too so we went out to celebrate with the locals! Then, what better way to spend an Austrian holiday than to go outdoor ice skating and pay a brief visit to Schönbrunn Palace. So off we went; Chris, Mrs. Chris, John, Vicky, Anna, myself and Elisabeth and her boyfriend all had a great time on the ice despite being shown up by some very talented young Austrian ‘Torvill and Dean’s’! There was also a spectacular military display on the streets of the capital with helicopters, tanks and also a few of the new Euro-fighter aeroplanes.

Halloween is also very popular here, and children spend the whole day dressed up in immaculately scary outfits – at least I think they were dressed up!

Lessons with Dietmar and Mr Bousfield are working really well and I feel that my time here to date has been most beneficial. Having seen several operas here now I look forward to hearing Mr Bousfield performing Wozzeck and Lulu over the next couple of weeks. My lessons with Dietmar are now pretty much all in German (until a word crops up I don’t know!), which was rather daunting at first but I’m getting used to it!

We are keeping up international relations with our five-a-side football matches in the park. Last week was England against Austria and produced some excellent football. On display was some marvellous skill from Chris ‘Lampard’ Seddon, some immaculately timed challenges from Steven ‘Terry’ Haynes and decisive goalkeeping from my flatmate Adam ‘Robinson’ Betts. Although the English contingent was characteristically worn out within five minutes, we still battled hard. In fact, at one point in the game, I looked up and noticed at least six passers-by watching from the touch line! After a tough fought game which went on well into the evening (thanks to the floodlit pitch), we decided to call ‘next goal wins’. How distraught we were to see an Austrian counter attack blaze into out half and despite several last ditched attempts to thwart the Austrian striker, he fired it into the back of our goal. Gutted, we were! Until next time!!!

I’ll leave you with a typical Stevenism…the other day we were out in this lovely little bar and I’d just been to the Gents. After coming out, I saw this really pretty girl coming towards me. I was a little ‘jaw dropped’ but nevertheless managed to do the chivalrous thing and hold the door open for her. It wasn’t until she got closer that I realised that I was actually holding open the door of the Gent’s toilet! How embarrassing! So, needless to say…I still haven’t found the love of my life!

Winter looms!

I now know what people meant when they informed me how cold Austria can be. Last week was rather chilly to say the least, and apparently it can get as low as sub fifteen degrees! It’s a good job there is a sauna in the Gasometer complex!

The past week has been very busy. I went to see two operas (Tosca and Daphne), went on an excursion to the Austrian mountains near Salzburg and had a lesson with Dietmar. I was most impressed with the way in which Dietmar is able to change the character of his sound. In the afternoon I heard him rehearsing Bolero with the Philharmoniker. Then I had a lesson with him, and afterwards he had an Opera to do! He varied his stylistic characteristics and tone colour for each situation – very impressive - and such a busy day too!

The excursion to Ausseerland was an excellent day out. We visited a salt mine, saw some spectacular scenery and had a typically Austrian meal whilst being entertained by local folk musicians (who were very good)! We travelled up to the top of a mountain on a Funicular railway - the scenery was breath taking!

At the Hochschule this week there was an exhibition of German trombones. I was lucky enough to play a few. They are very different to the American instruments with which I am accustomed.

Yesterday I was joined by two of my friends from the RCM; John Kilshaw and Vicky Crowell. It is great to see them and I hope they have a good time here until they return to England on Friday.