Graham Rickson 🇮🇪
@grahamrickson.bsky.social
London-raised, Leeds-based primary music teacher, horn and ukulele player, film and classical CD critic, responsible dog and cat owner. Writing things for www.theartdesk.com (@theartsdesk.bsky.social)since 2009. Proud Irish citizen ☘️.
I’ve finally got a copy of this book. It’s a chunky tome. #leonardbernstein
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I’ve finally got a copy of this book. It’s a chunky tome. #leonardbernstein
It's an extraordinary tale. Craig Brown's Beatles biography introduced me to the Jimmy Nichol story. Hisvertiginous rise to megastardom and back down to obscurity must have been mentally exhausting.
November 3, 2025 at 6:53 PM
It's an extraordinary tale. Craig Brown's Beatles biography introduced me to the Jimmy Nichol story. Hisvertiginous rise to megastardom and back down to obscurity must have been mentally exhausting.
This week's reviews,. A proper big heap this time: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social @infinemusic.bsky.social #brahms #arthurbliss #williamwalton #philipglass #solgabetta #simoneporter #cello
November 1, 2025 at 6:57 AM
This week's reviews,. A proper big heap this time: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social @infinemusic.bsky.social #brahms #arthurbliss #williamwalton #philipglass #solgabetta #simoneporter #cello
Did some brutalist sightseeing today and visited Trellick Tower, impressive in the rain. Even better was Denys Lasdun’s beautiful Royal College of Physicians, which is open to visitors and has a good museum inside.
October 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Did some brutalist sightseeing today and visited Trellick Tower, impressive in the rain. Even better was Denys Lasdun’s beautiful Royal College of Physicians, which is open to visitors and has a good museum inside.
'Wendy and Lucy' is a small masterpiece, beautifully acted. It also has an excellent dog in one of the lead roles. www.theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray...
#kellyreichardt #michellewilliams #dogs @secondrun.bsky.social
#kellyreichardt #michellewilliams #dogs @secondrun.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM
'Wendy and Lucy' is a small masterpiece, beautifully acted. It also has an excellent dog in one of the lead roles. www.theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray...
#kellyreichardt #michellewilliams #dogs @secondrun.bsky.social
#kellyreichardt #michellewilliams #dogs @secondrun.bsky.social
Tove J was a genius. As was writer and artist Mervyn Peake, whose Gormenghast is really something. He also illustrated ‘Alice’.
October 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Tove J was a genius. As was writer and artist Mervyn Peake, whose Gormenghast is really something. He also illustrated ‘Alice’.
'Lost Hearts' is brilliant, and terrifying, though the fact that the soundtrack doesn't feature an actual hurdy gurdy has always bugged me...
October 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
'Lost Hearts' is brilliant, and terrifying, though the fact that the soundtrack doesn't feature an actual hurdy gurdy has always bugged me...
Maybe this is what she was thinking of
October 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Maybe this is what she was thinking of
I don't know much Bliss, apart from the Colour Symphony. My orchestra @sinfoniaofleeds.bsky.social is giving the second performance of a newly-orchestrated version of his Viola Sonata in a few weeks - what I've heard so far is good. Bliss had an excellent moustache, up there with Elgar's.
October 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I don't know much Bliss, apart from the Colour Symphony. My orchestra @sinfoniaofleeds.bsky.social is giving the second performance of a newly-orchestrated version of his Viola Sonata in a few weeks - what I've heard so far is good. Bliss had an excellent moustache, up there with Elgar's.
Love the Barbican - I grew up in London and it’s a place I return to often, as it’s so civilised. This book has a fascinating chapter about its history. And here’s a fab 60s pop video filmed on the Barbican building site: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zstZ...
October 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Love the Barbican - I grew up in London and it’s a place I return to often, as it’s so civilised. This book has a fascinating chapter about its history. And here’s a fab 60s pop video filmed on the Barbican building site: m.youtube.com/watch?v=zstZ...
Are you selling BH fridge magnets?
October 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Are you selling BH fridge magnets?
What’s not to like?
October 22, 2025 at 6:45 PM
What’s not to like?
Do like these bollards outside my local post office. #royalmail #postoffice #leeds #bollards #chapelallerton
October 21, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Do like these bollards outside my local post office. #royalmail #postoffice #leeds #bollards #chapelallerton
This week's classical CD reviews - read more here: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #terryriley @heloisewerner.bsky.social #britten @georgevass.bsky.social #williamwalton #tippett
October 18, 2025 at 4:27 AM
This week's classical CD reviews - read more here: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #terryriley @heloisewerner.bsky.social #britten @georgevass.bsky.social #williamwalton #tippett
Scientific progress goes boink in Alexander Mackendrick's brilliant black comedy The Man in the White Suit. Read more here: www.theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray... @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social @studiocanal.com #ealingcomedy #alecguinness #burnley #joangreenwood
October 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Scientific progress goes boink in Alexander Mackendrick's brilliant black comedy The Man in the White Suit. Read more here: www.theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray... @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social @studiocanal.com #ealingcomedy #alecguinness #burnley #joangreenwood
And the opening credits are clever too, I remember. Gorgeous film. Get yourself to Baker Street tube and look for the P&P blue plaque marking the site of their London office.
October 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
And the opening credits are clever too, I remember. Gorgeous film. Get yourself to Baker Street tube and look for the P&P blue plaque marking the site of their London office.
I use this all the time. Unfeasibly sharp images and the light meter still works.
October 11, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I use this all the time. Unfeasibly sharp images and the light meter still works.
Not been inside the Cutty Sark since the revamp. Walking through the foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs terrified me as a child - I was convinced that the white tiles would give way and I'd drown. I love walking around the Naval College buildings now.
October 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Not been inside the Cutty Sark since the revamp. Walking through the foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs terrified me as a child - I was convinced that the white tiles would give way and I'd drown. I love walking around the Naval College buildings now.
Bought this second hand as I couldn’t resist the Supraphon sleeve art. Magnificent stuff. #supraphon #dvorak #karelancerl #czechphilharmonic
October 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Bought this second hand as I couldn’t resist the Supraphon sleeve art. Magnificent stuff. #supraphon #dvorak #karelancerl #czechphilharmonic
What links Francis Poulenc and Cliff Richard? Find out here: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social @londonsymphony.bsky.social #MichaelaKoudelková #recorder #holst #poulenc #cliffrichard #vaughanwilliams #dobrinkatabakova #ecm
October 4, 2025 at 5:30 AM
What links Francis Poulenc and Cliff Richard? Find out here: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social @londonsymphony.bsky.social #MichaelaKoudelková #recorder #holst #poulenc #cliffrichard #vaughanwilliams #dobrinkatabakova #ecm
I had a blow on one of these once - Selmer double with ascending third valve. Very confusing.
October 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I had a blow on one of these once - Selmer double with ascending third valve. Very confusing.
It's Saturday! CD reviews ahoy: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #satie #tippett #AbelSelaocoe #arvopart
September 20, 2025 at 4:33 AM
It's Saturday! CD reviews ahoy: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #satie #tippett #AbelSelaocoe #arvopart
I’ve got this weird Agfa. Works very well, like a funkier Trip 35.
September 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I’ve got this weird Agfa. Works very well, like a funkier Trip 35.
Top kit. I get films developed by Photo Express in Hull - superb service and quick turnaround.
September 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Top kit. I get films developed by Photo Express in Hull - superb service and quick turnaround.