Speaker Ian Black - A Musical Journey, Tracks, and Clues

President Isobel Clifford welcomed members to the Club's weekly meeting in Best Western Scores Hotel. The speaker was our member Dr Ian Black who took us on an illustrated musical journey through his life. He pointed out it was not a "Desert Island Disc" talk but his choices reflected his experiences and thoughts throughout his life. Ian was brought up in Birkenhead and one of his earliest memories was of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir singing "All in an April Evening". As a boy he liked brass band music and gave us a rendition by the Band of Royal Marines. After his Father bought a record player the first record he bought was "Light Cavalry" overture. As a student at Edinburgh University he enjoyed the music of Rachmaninov, pointing out how the first movement of the second piano concerto reflected the composer's self doubts following the catastrophic performance of his first symphony but the slow movement reflected a much more relaxed frame of mind. As he matured, Ian's musical taste reflected more of the growing youth culture and he was interested in musicals and the growing "pop" scene. After 10 years working as a Doctor he needed a career change and took his family to Canada where he worked for several years. Returning to UK he worked as a GP in Glenrothes and became interested in Choral singing, joining the local choral society. He illustrated this experience by playing the Agnus Dei from Faure's Requiem. He ended his talk  by playing the most popular hymn tune "Finlandia" along with the great Welsh hymn "How great Thou art". George McIntosh thanked Ian on behalf of the Club for a most enjoyable and interesting talk.