Richard Baker
@rchrdbkr.bsky.social
Composer based in Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Research Fellow @guildhallschool.bsky.social. Weithiau yn Gymraeg.
Profile photo: Claire Shovelton
Artist website: https://rchrdbkr.com/
Profile photo: Claire Shovelton
Artist website: https://rchrdbkr.com/
In general am loath to give this site any traction, but my friend Zoë Martlew has written a beautiful, perfect tribute to pianist/composer Jonathan Powell, whose death was announced yesterday. It reminded me that it was at one of these concerts that I first heard Jonathan play, and heard his music:
On the tragic death of a wild British pianist - Slippedisc
The cellist and composer Zoë Martlew pays tribute...
slippedisc.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:33 AM
In general am loath to give this site any traction, but my friend Zoë Martlew has written a beautiful, perfect tribute to pianist/composer Jonathan Powell, whose death was announced yesterday. It reminded me that it was at one of these concerts that I first heard Jonathan play, and heard his music:
Reposted by Richard Baker
Two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions are now open in the Department of Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin, in Value Theory and in the Philosophy, History and Ethics of Science. Closing dates: 19 & 30 Jan 2026.
Further details here ⬇️
tinyurl.com/2s3n2wnk
Further details here ⬇️
tinyurl.com/2s3n2wnk
December 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions are now open in the Department of Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin, in Value Theory and in the Philosophy, History and Ethics of Science. Closing dates: 19 & 30 Jan 2026.
Further details here ⬇️
tinyurl.com/2s3n2wnk
Further details here ⬇️
tinyurl.com/2s3n2wnk
Reposted by Richard Baker
The detailed data is very interesting. Plaid is polling first among people under 55 but crucially its support is roughly the same (30%) throughout Wales regardless of region.
But also: '24 Labour voters are more likely to vote Plaid (40%!!) than Labour.
But also: '24 Labour voters are more likely to vote Plaid (40%!!) than Labour.
January 6, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The detailed data is very interesting. Plaid is polling first among people under 55 but crucially its support is roughly the same (30%) throughout Wales regardless of region.
But also: '24 Labour voters are more likely to vote Plaid (40%!!) than Labour.
But also: '24 Labour voters are more likely to vote Plaid (40%!!) than Labour.
Reposted by Richard Baker
When soldiers from one NATO country need to - mentally and tactically - prepare for an attack from another NATO country, something has already been irrevocably broken.
Danish soldiers are under standing orders to engage any hostile activity on Greenland, including unannounced US activity.
The standing order of 1952 is confirmed to be in force by both Danish Defence Command and Ministry of Defence to news site @berlingske.bsky.social
The standing order of 1952 is confirmed to be in force by both Danish Defence Command and Ministry of Defence to news site @berlingske.bsky.social
January 7, 2026 at 2:36 PM
When soldiers from one NATO country need to - mentally and tactically - prepare for an attack from another NATO country, something has already been irrevocably broken.
RIP Jonathan Powell - a great pianist, highly original composer and Russian music specialist. What a tragic loss. We came up together, and both from the West Midlands. I have a fond memory of a Black Country real ale pub crawl with him in c.1997.
Here’s his ‘Saturnine’ for ensemble:
Here’s his ‘Saturnine’ for ensemble:
Saturnine
open.spotify.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 AM
RIP Jonathan Powell - a great pianist, highly original composer and Russian music specialist. What a tragic loss. We came up together, and both from the West Midlands. I have a fond memory of a Black Country real ale pub crawl with him in c.1997.
Here’s his ‘Saturnine’ for ensemble:
Here’s his ‘Saturnine’ for ensemble:
Reposted by Richard Baker
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 PM
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Reposted by Richard Baker
NEW
But what about international law?
What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/but-what-a...
Personal Blog:
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/but-...
But what about international law?
What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/but-what-a...
Personal Blog:
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/but-...
But what about international law?
What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue?
emptycity.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:03 AM
NEW
But what about international law?
What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/but-what-a...
Personal Blog:
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/but-...
But what about international law?
What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue
Substack:
emptycity.substack.com/p/but-what-a...
Personal Blog:
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/but-...
Reposted by Richard Baker
Joint statement on Greenland.
January 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Joint statement on Greenland.
I would very much like my government to state unambiguously that annexing territory belonging to allied nation states - however complex their history - is not on.
When did this become complicated? Have I missed something?
When did this become complicated? Have I missed something?
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
I would very much like my government to state unambiguously that annexing territory belonging to allied nation states - however complex their history - is not on.
When did this become complicated? Have I missed something?
When did this become complicated? Have I missed something?
Reposted by Richard Baker
Miller: “The real question is: by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?
“What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?
“The US is the power of NATO.”
“What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?
“The US is the power of NATO.”
January 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Miller: “The real question is: by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?
“What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?
“The US is the power of NATO.”
“What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?
“The US is the power of NATO.”
Reposted by Richard Baker
On your Nobel Peace Prize application, under Weaknesses, you've put 'Refused to allow the previous winner to take power in Venezuela'?
January 5, 2026 at 1:34 PM
On your Nobel Peace Prize application, under Weaknesses, you've put 'Refused to allow the previous winner to take power in Venezuela'?
Reposted by Richard Baker
Get involved! Listening to a composer's entire catalogue is hoenstly one of the msot fascinating endeavours
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Peter Grimes, the Serenade and War Requiem are among my all time favourite works. This year I'm going to try to listen to every Britten piece, in the order he wrote them. Why not join me? #TheCompleteBritten
January 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Get involved! Listening to a composer's entire catalogue is hoenstly one of the msot fascinating endeavours
Reposted by Richard Baker
Much more honesty about what just happened from inside the U.S. than from outside. The world is full of dishonesty and cowardice.
January 4, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Much more honesty about what just happened from inside the U.S. than from outside. The world is full of dishonesty and cowardice.
Reposted by Richard Baker
All it takes for evil to thrive is for mediocre world leaders to say “I’d rather not say”
January 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
All it takes for evil to thrive is for mediocre world leaders to say “I’d rather not say”
Reposted by Richard Baker
This is perhaps the most bonkers aspect of our truly bonkers constitutional moment.
I keep marveling at the construction of an overwhelmingly powerful unitary executive around someone who is almost entirely uninterested in the direction and priorities and welfare of the nation.
January 4, 2026 at 1:08 PM
This is perhaps the most bonkers aspect of our truly bonkers constitutional moment.
Reposted by Richard Baker
The Frankfurt School be like . . .
November 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The Frankfurt School be like . . .
Reposted by Richard Baker
If any country can just kidnap another country’s president in a fit of pique, this is the Duchy of Grand Fenwick’s moment to SHINE.
January 3, 2026 at 10:38 PM
If any country can just kidnap another country’s president in a fit of pique, this is the Duchy of Grand Fenwick’s moment to SHINE.
Reposted by Richard Baker
Reagan gave Thatcher a few hours before and she was famously furious about it. Also Grenada was in the commonwealth.
January 3, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Reagan gave Thatcher a few hours before and she was famously furious about it. Also Grenada was in the commonwealth.
Reposted by Richard Baker
LOL
👺 Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned what it called US armed aggression against Venezuela on 3 January and said it is deeply concerned.
www.pravda.com.ua
January 3, 2026 at 11:41 AM
LOL
Reposted by Richard Baker
So, the President has gone to war with a foreign country and kidnapped its leader because… why?
January 3, 2026 at 9:46 AM
So, the President has gone to war with a foreign country and kidnapped its leader because… why?
Reposted by Richard Baker
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
January 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
Reposted by Richard Baker
It’s a dark night when you look at the news and are forced to admit that you no longer believe in the power of the FIFA peace prize
January 3, 2026 at 7:06 AM
It’s a dark night when you look at the news and are forced to admit that you no longer believe in the power of the FIFA peace prize
Reposted by Richard Baker
How 2026 was depicted in the sci-fi classic 'Metropolis' (1927)
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 PM
How 2026 was depicted in the sci-fi classic 'Metropolis' (1927)
Reposted by Richard Baker
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir – a US spy-tech firm that has supported mass deportation in the US and enabled genocide in Gaza.
Say No to Palantir in the NHS ⬇️
goodlaw.social/658abc
Say No to Palantir in the NHS ⬇️
goodlaw.social/658abc
Say no to Palantir in the NHS
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir - fight back
notopalantir.goodlawproject.org
January 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir – a US spy-tech firm that has supported mass deportation in the US and enabled genocide in Gaza.
Say No to Palantir in the NHS ⬇️
goodlaw.social/658abc
Say No to Palantir in the NHS ⬇️
goodlaw.social/658abc
Reposted by Richard Baker
Blimey, I feel seen here. If he were alive now Pepys would be sifting his inbox, deleting the LinkedIn notifications....
Lay long in bed, and so up and to the office, where all the morning alone doing something or another.
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Blimey, I feel seen here. If he were alive now Pepys would be sifting his inbox, deleting the LinkedIn notifications....