iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Last night with @fso.org.uk we premiered a seriously beautiful new orchestral opener (7 mins) by Edward Nesbit; ‘Consolation and Joy’. Easy to programme, rewarding to play, a hit with the audience, it deserves lots of future performances.

Poster for Fulham Symphony Orchestra concert 20 June 2026.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Close encounter with Dorking’s (apparently famous) white squirrel yesterday. Cute, but inept, it fell out of the tree one second after I took this photo and narrowly avoided landing on my head.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Early signs of greater tolerance of heretics under Pope Leo XIV.

Marching band outside Vatican at Catholic Jubilee of Marching Bands with horn players on right and left handed instruments.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

This concert has officially sold out, but we’re working with the hall to increase capacity. Note to orchestras… Demessieux sells!

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · 23/02/2025

Book now for our concert on 22 March 2025 at Smith Square Hall. fso.org.uk/spring-2025/ A rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s great Manfred Symphony, Jeanne Demessieux’s exuberant Poème for organ and orchestra, and Janáček’s Taras Bulba, an orchestral rhapsody inspired by a Cossack hero.

Fulham Symphony Orchestra – 22 March 2025 - Leoš Janáček – Taras Bulba, Jeanne Demessieux – Poème, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony. Marc Dooley conductor Tom Evans leader Hannah Gill organ. 22 March 2025 7.30pm, Smith Square Hall

A rare chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony, his most ambitious symphonic work, which explores the extreme drama of Byron’s poem of the same name. Jeanne Demessieux was a celebrated virtuoso organist and a child prodigy. The exuberant Poème for organ and orchestra was one of her few orchestral compositions. Written during World War I and inspired by the story of a Cossack hero, Leoš Janáček’s Taras Bulba combines poignantly beautiful folk-like themes with the composer’s distinctive and unconventional orchestration. Born in Wales, Hannah Gill was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and was a concerto finalist in the Texaco Young Musician of Wales. She has conducted and accompanied prize-winning choirs at both National and International Eisteddfod competitions. Previously the Organ Scholar at the Southbank Centre, she is now Organist at St Nicholas’ Church in Harpenden. She is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and Co-Chair of the Society of Women Organists. Leoš Janáček – Taras Bulba Jeanne Demessieux – Poème Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Manfred Symphony Marc Dooley conductor Tom Evans leader Hannah Gill organ 7.30pm, Smith Square Hall, London SW1P 3HF Tickets £14, concessions £12, under-16s £9. Booking fees apply.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Surprise! Was unprepared for extent my hugely enjoyable chat with @hwfmorris.bsky.social would send me into such a deep reflection on my excellent, passionate, knowledgeable, under recognised … and missed … former colleagues.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

…in which I revive some happy memories. Enjoyed talking to @hwfmorris.bsky.social for this. V much hope my off the cuff BF comment is understood in context of deepest respect for his music but also getting at the q of difficulty of trad creative editorial input into advanced contemporary music.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · 09/03/2025

We’re delighted to have organ soloist Hannah Gill performing with us on 22 March at Smith Square Hall. Born in Wales, Hannah was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and was a concerto finalist in the Texaco Young Musician of Wales....

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

‘…six out of 10 arts and culture workers in the UK come from middle-class backgrounds’… as of now the Arts Council’s own jobs board coincidentally lists 573/966 jobs (60%) as paid under £30k. 40% are <£25k (living wage = £24,570 or £27k in London). www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

theguardian.com

Arts sector’s use of unpaid interns for some roles could be illegal, experts say

Concerns also raised that practice prevents young working-class people from finding paid work in creative industries

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

It has been an incredibly painful time for everyone in @fso.org.uk community. Steve was a great musician, a very close friend, and we were so lucky to have him in the orchestra. He has left us far, far too early. Please consider a donation to www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer...

cancerresearchuk.org

Getting diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer

You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you to a specialist doctor and organise tests.

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Mahler Foundation @mahlerfoundation.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

#AboutMahler Mahler's laugh “The dourness and severity of Mahler's mouth are, nevertheless, immediately transformed into their opposite when anything excites his good-natured and humorous laughter. [...]

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Health and safety further reviewed at early music rehearsal as notoriously testy conductor’s efforts to inject energy into chorus yield mixed results. #surprisingbaroquedrama #nightagent

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Oof. Fantastic Jenůfa at ROH. Orchestra on fire under Jakub Hrůša and loved the production.

Curtain calls at end of ROH Jenůfa 30 Jan 2025.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Regretting asking about the latest from the extended family ahead of the big reunion this evening…

Wikipedia preamble to synopsis of Janáček’s Jenůfa.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Have you ever seen the old Supraphon Má Vlast (still used by many top orchestras)? It actually has a sort of anti-critical commentary…

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

I once prepared an Eroica for Elgar Howarth as an incompetent student, and then received a masterclass in the most precise rehearsal and baton technique delivered with great charm. Easy to see why orchestras loved playing for him, and why he was Ligeti’s first choice. youtu.be/NOPnOL1m1r8?...

youtu.be

Ligeti - Melodien (Elgar Howarth / ?)

YouTube video by hotdogfalo

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Mick Dore @14thefrog.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Don't be alone in London on Christmas day. Come to us at the Alexandra in Wimbledon SW19. If you're on your own we'll give you some free Christmas turkey, booze & love. Seriously, it's FREE. 161 came last year, come & join us.

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Ed Newton-Rex @ednewtonrex.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Today, the UK government announced a proposal to change copyright law - for the benefit of AI companies - that would cause huge, irreversible harm to creators. More info below, but most importantly here's what you can do (wherever you live): 1. Email your MP. Template letter in 🧵 👇 1/10

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Love this find from @fso.org.uk sleuth @gavincompton.bsky.social which illuminates early days of the orchestra and the civic priority placed on UK community music making in mid–late 20thC. Also wish I could go by name of Siegfried de Chabôt. Would be fascinated if anyone knows more about him.

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Barbara Eifler @barbaraeifler27.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Trying to get my head around yet another social media platform... Have already found some people I know on here, please follow me and/or @makingmusicuk.bsky.social ! Happy holidays....

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Hi Katy, this is great. A couple of moments from Tosca jumped out at me recently: bsky.app/profile/marc...

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Have played the Viola Rhapsody-Concerto a few times with sensational Rosalind Ventris but the Isserlis idea is tantalising. Will see if I can make it happen with @fso.org.uk before Russell (who has been a rare Martinů champion) thinks of it for @kensingtonso.bsky.social 😉

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Really sorry we didn’t match concert to target audience on this occasion. But thank you, it did go well and hopefully created some new Martinů fans. I hope we can do #3 at some point. I counted 5 more performances of any Martinů symphony globally this season. A great opportunity for the big bands!

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Hi Ed! I listened to this yesterday. It’s beautiful.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

I missed this when first posted. What a terrific introduction. @londonsymphony.bsky.social

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Some great tunes to whistle on the way home. Thank you @londonsymphony.bsky.social for programming Helmut Lachenmann’s exuberantly inventive ‘My Melodies’ and for such a great performance, especially from the fine horn soloists, expertly led by Ilan Volkov.

London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ilan Volkov receiving applause for amazing performance of Helmut Lachenmann’s ‘My Melodies’.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

I agree… and especially as they have dream flautists.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestra @fso.org.uk · 26/11/2024

Hello, BlueSky! 👋 We’re a big, ambitious amateur symphony orchestra based in west London. Our last concert featured birdsong in Rautavaara’s ‘Cantus Arcticus’, Lutosławski’s dazzling Fourth Symphony, the folk-inspired ‘Suita Rustica’ by Kaprálová, and Martinů’s big-hearted Fourth Symphony.

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Contemporary Music for All @comanewmusic.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

We also have an amazing catalogue of 900+ scores suitable for mixed-ability/instrument ensembles to play. Every two years we hold the CoMA Festival, a celebration of collaborative music-making. And you can apply now to take part in our August 2025 Summer School: www.coma.org/whats-on/eve...

A crowd of happy participants at a previous CoMA Summer School, photographed outside on grass in front of large trees.

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Contemporary Music for All @comanewmusic.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Hello Bluesky community! We're CoMA, a UK-based charity founded in 1993 with the aim of making contemporary music accessible to all. We run contemporary music ensembles throughout the UK, plus workshops and residencies, with an expanding international programme. (1/2)

A group of musicians playing in a large indoor space. A tuba player with blue hair and a cellist with pink & brown hair are in the foreground, both wearing black clothes. A trombonist wearing a yellow jacket is more in the background. Everyone looks as though they're concentrating on the music.

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Dons Local Action Group @donslocalaction.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Welcome to our Bluesky💙 Please follow and repost - we need to rebuild our great community here!

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

This is best use of Apple Music motion artwork feature.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Happy place with Fulham Symphony at Smith Square Hall today with a fantastic programme of Rautavaara, Lutosławski, Kaprálová and Martinű. A small handful of tickets left.

Conductor’s desk for Fulham Symphony Orchestra at Smith Square Hall 16.11.2024.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Bleak indeed. And until there are realistic salaries in classical music (many (most?) advertised jobs <£35k) roles will continue to rely on private subsidy at the end of the educational process. Contingent public funding a good idea but must go far beyond warm words on the job advert.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

A wonderful programme and no better pianist for it.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

This score of Jeanne Demessieux’s ‘Poème’ arrived yesterday and I’m looking forward to literally blowing the dust off it next year with soloist Hannah Gill.

Jeanne Demessieux Poème Full Score excerpt.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

Shock poll reveals extent of divided population: “Have we now reached the crescendo?” Journalists: Yes 100% / No 0% Musicians (and their long-suffering associates): Yes 0% / NO!!!! 100%

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 03/11/2024

Arrived in Caen ferry terminal this morning to discover I had accidentally booked a crossing one year from today. Disappointing that Brittany Ferries were so straightforwardly reasonable and allowed us to board rather than sending us back to wait it out in Calvados.

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 26/10/2024

Sad to hear of the death of Phil Lesh. I’m not the guy to illuminate his more widely known achievements but less known is that he quietly put a lot of $$$ into the experimental contemporary music he believed in via the Rex Foundation. He was also a pleasure to occasionally correspond with.

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Avant Music News @avantmusicnews.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Free Xenakis Book Source: Open Book Publishers. Meta-Xenakis offers readers a comprehensive collection of insights into the history, works and legacy of Iannis Xenakis, one of the twentieth century’s most significant creative figures. It… avantmusicnews.com/2024/10/22/free-…

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Marc Dooley @marcdooley.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

Lucky to be conducting this gorgeous programme at Smith Square Hall next month. (Lucky too to have an artist, Caroline Whitehead, in the orchestra to make such beautiful posters.)

Poster for Fulham Symphony Orchestra concert 16 November 2024 at Smith Square Hall with a programme of Rautavaara Cantus Arcticus, Lutosławski Symphony No. 4, Kaprálova Suita Rustica, Martinů Symphony No. 4. Leader Tom Evans, Conductor Marc Dooley.

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