Trains, planes, automobiles and 48 hours of travelling, but I’m finally on the other side of the world. At least, my body is here. I think my brain is still trying to catch up. I’m here for what is becoming an annual trip to see family, do some research and, hopefully, recharge a little. This week’s recharging is brought to you by Musique Cordiale, a two week festival based in Seillans in Provence.

It’s a busman’s holiday for most of the performers, who range from principals from UK and European orchestras to young artists and an academie of students, studying with Leon Chilingirian, of the Chilingirian String Quartet. It’s a busman’s holiday for me too — I’m playing in the orchestra and writing words about music. Warning — it’ll probably be a bit impressionistic, not to say indulgent. I mean, it’s the South of France, and I’m on holiday. But I’m also thrilled to get to hear (and play with) some new voices. Just today, there was Isabel Pfefferkorn, a young mezzo-soprano who is singing Berlioz’s Nuits d’Ete, and Jonathan Martindale who, besides leading the orchestra, plays Ravel’s Tzigane and Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. 

Hope I don’t bugger it all up.