30th International Rechberg Weekend - thanks

Alan Paterson

Oct. 29, 2001, 11:26 a.m. (Message 27989)

In the emerging tradition of Strathspey-ers posting messages of appreciation for
past events, this is to express my personal delight at the great experience of
the past weekend in Rechberg, Southern Germany (Europe :-)

This weekend is Europe-wide known as being aimed at advanced/very-advanced
dancers and consistently attracts large numbers of such creatures. The teachers
are always top-class - and Jim Rae from Lockerbie proved no exception this time.
(Slightly) unusually, Jim did no step (or otherwise) technique work, instead
concentrating on interesting formations with the technique part an emphasis on
timing and the corollary, covering.

His musician was the excellent piano-master (mistress?) and composer Pat Clark
(Ex Yorkshire, now Kingussie) whose competence needs no emphasis from me. Anyone
having been through the exam process at St Andrews will be able to sing her
praises adequately. My own personal thanks to Pat are necessary for her playing
"Alan's Jig" as Elke and I had our turn at dancing "Gordon's Jig" (confused
yet?)

The music for the ball was the amalgamation of the emerging young band Green
Ginger, together with Keith Smith. On paper, this might seem an unusual
combination of three fiddles and piano and, as they started up, one did wonder
if there was a lack of weight somewhere. However, each set they played only
proved that the fiddle can well exist without accordion (not that I have
anything against accordions <vbg>). Their fire and energy kept up without a
pause through all 18 dances (and many encores).

The organisation and support staff were - as usual - top class. Everything
working without a hitch (as far as the participants could tell). So, to Karin
Schnabl and her team - bravo!

Let's start looking forward to next year then (Eric Finley, (unknown - to me -
pianist), Sound Company).


Alan