February 2012
Dear Amigos,
The second part of our 2011/12 AAMSL membership year began with the two February
piano recitals by Anne Kaasa. Anne has been a very popular AAMSL artist – this was her third appearance here
and the attendance of her most recent concerts certainly proved that fact most admirably.
She captivates with her virtuosity and always enchants with the selection of her
programme which this time included a
seldom heard Portuguese composer, Antonio
Fragoso, in the midst of Grieg, Debussy, Ravel, Albeniz and de Falla. Anne had us spellbound
with her rendering of impressionist colour and Spanish fire and temperament – a
real forte of this beautiful artist. Lucky those who were able to come and lucky the
students who have a chance to benefit from a teacher of Anne”s calibre – she considers
her teaching work at the Escola Superior de Musica in Lisbon a very important
task
besides pursuing an active
and very successful international soloist’s career.
As the gallery business of our habitual concert venue, Centro Cultural de Sao
Lourenco (CCSL), is gradually being wound down, I am happy to reassure you that we
have a standing appointment with Marie Huber for the remaining 8 concerts planned for
the membership year of 2011/12, i.e. to the end of June. I shall keep you up-to-date about
all and every future developments as and when they are being realised.
The dates for the AAMSL March 2012 Paul Crossley concerts are:
Wednesday, March 21st and Saturday, March 24th, 2012 at the usual time of 19:30
CCSL doors open at 6.30 pm
Please make your reservations a.s.a.p. either by email ccsl@iol.pt
or by telephone 289 395475
*****
Unfortunately I have the unenviable obligation to end this Newsletter with very sad news:
Barry Shaw, AAMSL President for the last 6 years, is not winning the battle against the
foes that invaded his body. The bone cancer in his spine is of the most aggressive and
debilitating kind that he will never be able to stand in front of us again. He is being made
as comfortable as possible during treatment at the Nursing Home of Palhagueira. So, I see
myself as passing from the position of interim president to taking over AAMSL
responsibilities
as acting president again. As such I hope to be able to carry on AAMSL
business as planned and, of course, I shall try to answer all questions you may have.
Helga Hampton
helga.hampton@btinternet.com