We’ve just completed Kirby Hall videos of our two new violin and cello duet arrangements – Boccherini’s Minuet and Trio and Gershwin’s Summertime. Staff at English Heritage were generous enough to allow us to use this magnificent building as a setting for the filming session and Kirby Hall is a building with great charisma.
Deciding on the best setting
We filmed the Boccherini outside in the ‘great garden’ which contains statues, topiary and urns – very appropriate for the classical period. Finding a backdrop for the Gershwin’s Summertime was more of a challenge: the song comes from the opera Porgy and Bess which is set in South Carolina and has a sultry blues feel – not at all English stately home. Eventually we decided on a sandy-coloured walkway with a gravel floor which evoked some of the character of the music.
Lux Technical
Our film crew were the excellent Lux Technical who made our videos last year – one of which won an award on You Tube. Despite the professionalism of our film crew the whole occasion was quite tough for us, as, like most people, neither Roger nor I are comfortable about being filmed close up. However, everything went well although it was a relief when it was over. You can see the end result here:
https://www.fedorastrings.com/product/minuet-trio-boccherini/
Kirby Hall website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kirbyhall
Lux technical website: www.luxtechnical.co.uk
