Braving the Stave – Details, episodes & analysis

Braving the Solo Guitar

JJ and Haz end up speaking Spanish with a Welsh accent as they take in the history and fascinating facts of the classical guitar, from the strings used through to the stereotype hairstyles.

Herio’r Gitar Unawd

Mae JJ a Haz yn gorffen siarad Sbaeneg gydag acen Gymreig wrth iddynt ddod i ddeall hanes a ffeithiau hynod ddiddorol y gitar glasurol, o’r tannau a ddefnyddir i’r steiliau gwallt stereoteipiedig.

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After busting the February blues with some jolly tunes, JJ tries to convince Haz that Bach's Goldberg Variations are, indeed, brilliant. Also: Haz's Mari Lywd experience, what 'Rachpag' means, and top tips for chamber musicians that involve good cake.

Ar ôl ymladd y tristwch Chwefror gyda rhai caneuon llawen, mae JJ yn ceisio perswadio Haz bod Amrywiadau Goldberg gan Bach, mewn gwirionedd, yn wych. Hefyd: profiad Mari Lywd gan Haz, yr hyn mae 'Rachpag' yn ei olygu, a chynghorion gorau i gerddorion siambr sydd yn cynnwys cacen dda.

Listen to the Braving the Stave playlist here

Grandewch ar y rhestr chwarae Braving the Stave yma

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The duo performing in an upcoming Cardiff Lunchtime series at Eglwys Dewi Sant talk with Jon about how they met, the background to their instruments and the thinking behind their innovative and beautifully considered programme.

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With the unusual pairing of a recorder and accordion coming up in a concert, Jon and Haz do a quick survey of other rarer concert instruments. In this 'musical zoo' are instruments that are both haunting and hooting, folk and electronic, and one that reminds Haz of a 'depressed Cor Anglais.' 

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Jon and Haz dip their toes into the ocean that is Roots Music, discussing its stereotypes and stigmas, its multiple instruments and crazy time signatures, and why pan pipes make for great massage music. Along the way, Jon talks about his own journey with the Dovetail Orchestra for asylum-seeking musicians, which has bases in both Bristol and Cardiff (at Eglwys Dewi Sant). 

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JJ and Haz see in the new year with a celebration of the string quartet, testing the claim that it is a 'four-way marriage without the sex'. Haz divulges her pet peeves as a chamber musician, as well as what a 'shig' is and why, amazingly, 'Bridgerton' is keeping the quartet genre alive and kicking.

Contact email: A2@artsactive.org.uk

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Christmas Cracker 2024

JJ and Haz bring on the 'hygge' with a homage to the wind quintet, bagatelles and boyfriends (Haz's), carols to cherish and avoid, 'disruptive' descants and a whole new genre of 'earnest kitsch'. Nadolig llawen, pawb!

Got any comments for JJ and Haz? Email them to A2@artsactive.org.uk

Oes gennych chi unrhyw sylwadau i JJ a Haz? Anfonwch ebost i A2@artsactive.org.uk

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When Jon likens harp music to twinkly bedtime stories, Haz champions the instrument, taking it beyond the usual clichés. Together they consider its Celtic history, how much patience you need to tune it, the most-loved harp effects, and why harpists are the best people to ask to unscrew a jar.

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JJ and Haz try to convert each other to the sound of the sax, celebrating its parps, growls and bends. Along the way: why Debussy called the sound 'aquatic', why it reminds JJ of custard, and what it means to be 'Careless Whispered' while at music college. 

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In the new season of Braving the Stave, JJ and Haz give their light-hearted but sharp-eared take on the lunchtime recitals happening every month in Eglwys Dewi Sant. This opening episode ponders whether Patrick Rimes, local folk legend, could play a blancmange, what it would be like to work for an insomniac Count, and the deeper meaning of 'Say a little prayer.'

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