My Visit to Leeds
By Peter Martens
After an 11 and a half hour flight from Cape Town South Africa, I touched down at Heathrow Airport early on the morning of 15 November. The British winter greeted me not too coldly and a few hours later Dr Stephen Muir picked me up from the train station in Leeds. No rest for the wicked they say, and after dropping my things at the hotel I ventured onto the campus of the University in search of the School of Music.
I was immediately struck by the charm of the red brick houses clothed in leaves from the late autumn trees and although the obligatory black umbrella did duty from time to time, the scene was soothing and most beautiful. That afternoon I met Libby Clark and Simo Muir after which an evening rehearsal of sonatas by Peter Klatzow and Shostakovich followed with pianist Richard Casey. The next three days were very full and included a lecture on my PhD research – Beethoven Cello Sonatas, meetings with Clive Brown and George Kennaway, a recital of the aforementioned 20th and 21st century sonatas and daily planning meetings for the Cape Festival - Performing the Jewish Archive.
Had I been asked to write a longer article, I might have gone into detail about the individual events, the beautiful concert hall, the even more beautiful singing of the chamber choir I heard in rehearsal or perhaps the architecture of Leeds University with some quite large and imposing (dare I say unattractive) modern buildings between a number of exquisite old Victorian houses (the concert hall looks like an old church) situated on a hill making for most interesting perspectives.
Instead I should like to say something about the people I interacted with. What struck me most is that without exception, all were incredibly humble. I was warmly engaged by musicologists of international repute, performers of exceptional musical ability, and an administrator that kept all of us in step in the most unassuming but efficient way. Leeds University is indeed a very special place and this is because of its wonderful people.
Performing the Jewish Archive has been a tremendous success thus far and it will culminate in a great Festival in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, South Africa after which it will be my great pleasure to repay some of the hospitality afforded to me in Leeds. Thank you Steve for involving me in a project revealing the little known artistry of an illustrious citizenry. My wish is that it touches many South Africans in the way that I have been touched by the kindness, dedication and humanity of the people in Leeds.
Click here to see Peter Martens's cello concert at the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall 18 November 2016.