Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 16/01/2026It’s not impossible but Bach didn’t do it - he sometimes took secular pieces and used them in a sacred setting, but never the reverse. Obviously loads of later composers orchestrated Bach pieces, but I’m not aware of anyone doing Erbarme Dich…. 110
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 20/10/2025I’m not saying that taking a replacement bus when there are no trains from Birmingham to Solihull is *slow*, but I just listened to the whole of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil and I’m still not home…. 111
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/09/2025If the US and Israel are destroying foreign targets with impunity, it’s hardly surprising that Russia feels it can drop missiles on Poland. What a mess. 011
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 07/09/2025⭐️ Hear from @stephenmaddock.bsky.social at the start of the new academic year! Featuring: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's new students, National Student Survey results, an uplift in ticket sales, and a big thanks RBC's loyal audiences for supporting our students ⭐️ 🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 022
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 05/09/2025“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” Donald Trump, at his second inauguration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of WarThe US president has sought to refocus the department on 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 05/09/2025“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” Donald Trump, at his second inauguration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTrump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of WarThe US president has sought to refocus the department on 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 03/09/2025Isn’t it fantastic? Rachel Zegler is absolutely sensational 020
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 03/09/2025End of an era. So many things I’ve learned that I would never otherwise have had an inlkling about. 100
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/08/2025How glorious to see & hear Judith Weir’s gorgeous 2000 song cycle woman.life.song transformed into a chamber opera by Birmingham Opera. Great staging, singing, playing & conducting (Alpesh Chauhan), with lots of past & present musicians from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social & @thecbso.bsky.social involved 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 22/08/2025This is excellent news. The fall in A Level Music remains a concern, but a second material increase in GCSE music numbers is a cause for celebration. Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity! 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 16/08/2025Well at least Putin was wearing a suit and said thank you. Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time. 041
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 12/08/2025I know proper cricket fans think #TheHundred is beneath you, but it’s a great way to spend summer eves when you’ve gone back to work in Aug & you can watch an actual game on LIVE TV in knowledge that you won’t have missed all the best bits while you were at work. GO PHOENIX!! 011
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 07/08/2025I think if I lived here I might not get round to composing any more masterpieces either. 042
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 28/07/2025So in the last 6 weeks the world has lost Brian Wilson, Alfred Brendel, Ozzy Osbourne, Roger Norrington, Cleo Laine & Tom Lehrer. That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback. 2306
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/07/2025England supersub Michelle Agyemang has taken her piano with her to Switzerland and plays it to relax every day. 🎹+⚽️=✅ www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...bbc.co.ukEuro 2025: England forward Michelle Agyemang's journey from ball girl to Euro 2025England forward Michelle Agyemang was a ball girl four years ago at Wembley. Now she is making an impact for the Lionesses at Euro 2025. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 25/06/2025Definitely not a sequel. More of a Northern English Folk Pastoral Coming of Age Brexit parable - with zombies. Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good. www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...imdb.com28 Years Later (2025) ⭐ 7.2 | Horror, Thriller1h 55m | R 040
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 25/06/2025☀️🎶 @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social, reflects on the last term and his highlights from the past season - follow the link below to read his entire message from last Friday! 🎶☀️ 📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 032
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Serendipity Festival Day 4: 28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 25/05/2025Serendipity Birmingham Day 3: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social Banda Brasileira entertaining a large audience in the JBPS @bmusicltd.bsky.social Symphony Hall. Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 24/05/2025Standing ovation for Sempre Fado at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social last night, a brilliant opening to Serendipity Festival Birmingham. Lots more events between now and Monday! 012
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 23/05/2025Serendipity Arts Festival Birmingham Day 1: the exhibitions are up @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and looking stunning! Events today at 1100, 1500 & 1900 @mybcu.bsky.social 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Delighted to appear on BBCWM this evening to talk about the amazing Serendipity Birmingham Festival taking place this weekend at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social and @bmusicltd.bsky.social Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 043
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 13/05/2025🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social wishes our students the best of luck during the assessment period, encourages everyone to enjoy the Serendipity Festival at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and Symphony Hall, and reflects on his 2 years (& 1 week) RBC anniversary! 🤩🎶 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 022
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/05/2025Today’s the day, RBQ fans! New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...bbc.co.ukBBC Radio 4 - Round Britain Quiz, Programme 1 - The Midlands v Northern IrelandThe contest of lateral thinking and cryptic connections, chaired by Kirsty Lang. 1/12 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/05/2025It’s a fantastic movie - so pleased to hear this 0100
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 10/05/2025Congratulations to all at WNO for a magnificent Peter Grimes tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome. Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too. #WNOGrimes 151
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 08/05/2025“A Pope from Chicago? Yes, I’m available. And here are my conditions” 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 30/04/2025And so interesting from the point of view of his religion - the sanctimonious Christians denying the purer ancient beliefs 130
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 30/04/2025I love that piece! Sang on a recording and programmed it at the Proms, back in the day…. 130
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 26/04/2025One of the best films about music I’ve ever seen. With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires. Totally brilliant! www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...imdb.comSinners (2025) ⭐ 8.2 | Action, Drama, Horror2h 17m | R 041
Reposted by Stephen MaddockHippolyta Loudbasket of treats 🍬🍬🍬(she/her) @loudbasket.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Still bitter about the time a guy in work said he was going on holiday and I asked where he was going and he said, “Santander,” and I said, “So it’s a bank holiday?” and he didn’t laugh. 1245754
Reposted by Stephen MaddockRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire @royalbirmcons.bsky.social · 14/04/2025🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social updates on upcoming performances at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social, increased event attendance, and the Serendipity Arts Festival, which will be hosted at RBC and Symphony Hall over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend! 🤩🎶 Read more here: www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir... 162
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/04/2025A @royalbirmcons.bsky.social graduate who also worked at @thecbso.bsky.social and played in their Youth Orchestra….. 030
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 11/04/2025Finally got round to watching #Conclave. What a brilliantly-made movie - and very faithful to Robert Harris’s book. Fiennes & Tucci both extraordinary, and the music & sound design are superbly atmospheric. Loved it. 051
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 09/04/2025Melania has been reading him We’re Going on a Bear Hunt as his bedtime story, hasn’t she? 040
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 09/04/2025Are you suggesting he’s *not* a strategic genius? Well I never. 1641
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 09/04/2025Looking forward to reading all the articles by commentators who told us last week why Trump’s tariffs were strategic genius now telling us why removing them after 5 days is ALSO the work of a genius. 021
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 28/03/2025What a joy to start the afternoon at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a recital by the great Roderick Williams (& Andrew West) who gave us a gorgeous tour of Victorian (and later) orientalism ending with songs by Harry T Burleigh, the composer who introduced Dvorak to African-American music. 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 24/03/2025Pleased to be one of several hundred signatories to this important letter. Music education should be a right! edsheeranfoundation.com/protect-grow...edsheeranfoundation.comProtect & Grow Music Education: A letter to the Prime MinisterAs an industry, we bring in £7.6 billion into the UK economy, yet the next generation is not there to take the reins. 031
Stephen Maddock @stephenmaddock.bsky.social · 22/03/2025The last @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Yr3 Acting production of the year: a mesmerising, musically rich version of Pam Gems’ Piaf with brilliant ensemble cast. Great movement & singing, and at its centre an astonishing performance by Bella Gabor as Piaf. Great arrangements by Daniel Blanco Albert too! 032