Martin Smith
@martinsmith.bsky.social
Husband, father, violinist; leader of cirrusstringquartet.com; conductor of rorchestra.bsky.social, enfieldchamberorch.org.uk, Winchmore Strings and anyone else that'll have me. Member/Board member of londonmozartplayers.com. Makes decent coffee. He/him
Reposted by Martin Smith
I know many of you will already have done something to help the people of Jamaica, but if you felt like helping a specific family, this is the GoFundMe set up by my son’s girlfriend for her relatives, who find themselves in dire straits. Every bit helps, shares appreciated. gofund.me/9b5b74984
Donate to Hurricane Melissa: Please help support our family in Jamaica, organized by Taylor Mitchell
Hello everyone,
Many of you have heard about Hurricane Melis… Taylor Mitchell needs your support for Hurricane Melissa: Please help support our family in Jamaica
gofund.me
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I know many of you will already have done something to help the people of Jamaica, but if you felt like helping a specific family, this is the GoFundMe set up by my son’s girlfriend for her relatives, who find themselves in dire straits. Every bit helps, shares appreciated. gofund.me/9b5b74984
Llongyfarchiadau i Lindsay Whittle a Plaid Cymru ar ôl canlyniad yr isetholiad yng Nghaerffili ddoe!
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Llongyfarchiadau i Lindsay Whittle a Plaid Cymru ar ôl canlyniad yr isetholiad yng Nghaerffili ddoe!
Reposted by Martin Smith
An ancient landscape of early copper mines & Romano-British roundhouses 🛖⛰️
Cwm Dyli below Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, Gwynedd
📷 My own, Sunday
Cwm Dyli below Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, Gwynedd
📷 My own, Sunday
October 21, 2025 at 6:33 AM
An ancient landscape of early copper mines & Romano-British roundhouses 🛖⛰️
Cwm Dyli below Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, Gwynedd
📷 My own, Sunday
Cwm Dyli below Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, Gwynedd
📷 My own, Sunday
Reposted by Martin Smith
Awful news - if anyone can help Sascha:
My friend Sascha is a professional musician and he's lost a viola bow on the way to Heathrow. Please signal boost to help him get it back.
October 12, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Awful news - if anyone can help Sascha:
Reposted by Martin Smith
In arguably less important historical anniversary news today, Facebook memories tells me it’s ten years since I first finished reading this book (and first started raving about it to people)
September 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
In arguably less important historical anniversary news today, Facebook memories tells me it’s ten years since I first finished reading this book (and first started raving about it to people)
I have seldom been so blown away at a concert as I was last night hearing Stephen Osborne give Beethoven Diabelli Variations in the Machynlleth Festival. The awesome depth of B's thought, hard to even imagine in itself, articulated by an artist of rare honesty & integrity. Transcendental.
August 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I have seldom been so blown away at a concert as I was last night hearing Stephen Osborne give Beethoven Diabelli Variations in the Machynlleth Festival. The awesome depth of B's thought, hard to even imagine in itself, articulated by an artist of rare honesty & integrity. Transcendental.
Reposted by Martin Smith
we have both computers and science fiction because Byron was so insufferable it inspired all the women around him to come up with elaborate reasons to get away
Ok folks: what is your favorite fact that you share with people (maybe a bit too) eagerly?
August 20, 2025 at 2:40 AM
we have both computers and science fiction because Byron was so insufferable it inspired all the women around him to come up with elaborate reasons to get away
The lower part of Dolgoch Falls, on the southern edge of Eryri. No matter how far afield I travel, this will always be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
August 20, 2025 at 7:40 PM
The lower part of Dolgoch Falls, on the southern edge of Eryri. No matter how far afield I travel, this will always be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Llyn Barfog, in the hills between Tywyn and Aberdyfi. One of the still points of the turning world.
August 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Llyn Barfog, in the hills between Tywyn and Aberdyfi. One of the still points of the turning world.
Reposted by Martin Smith
A song of heartbreak and revenge from the forests of Finland...🌲
Sibelius's "Kaiutar" from "Letters from Scandinavia" with pianist @sholto.kynoch
🎧Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc
💿Pre-order the album (out 5 Sep on @crdrecordsclassical)
www.prestomusic.com/classical/pr...
Sibelius's "Kaiutar" from "Letters from Scandinavia" with pianist @sholto.kynoch
🎧Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc
💿Pre-order the album (out 5 Sep on @crdrecordsclassical)
www.prestomusic.com/classical/pr...
August 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
A song of heartbreak and revenge from the forests of Finland...🌲
Sibelius's "Kaiutar" from "Letters from Scandinavia" with pianist @sholto.kynoch
🎧Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc
💿Pre-order the album (out 5 Sep on @crdrecordsclassical)
www.prestomusic.com/classical/pr...
Sibelius's "Kaiutar" from "Letters from Scandinavia" with pianist @sholto.kynoch
🎧Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube etc
💿Pre-order the album (out 5 Sep on @crdrecordsclassical)
www.prestomusic.com/classical/pr...
Reposted by Martin Smith
High above city streets across East Anglia, the peregrine falcon population is making a dramatic recovery, and winning the love and devotion of those who watch them and record them. Kate Moore has their story ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @oscarwoofs.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @oscarwoofs.bsky.social
Love and loss – the saga of our peregrine falcons
From spires to rooftops, East Anglia’s peregrine falcons soar – lives unfolding in flight, loss, love and remarkable resilience
eastangliabylines.co.uk
August 3, 2025 at 7:03 AM
High above city streets across East Anglia, the peregrine falcon population is making a dramatic recovery, and winning the love and devotion of those who watch them and record them. Kate Moore has their story ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @oscarwoofs.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @oscarwoofs.bsky.social
@englynsmith.bsky.social might this be of interest?
Another happy manuscript discovery: all the files from the 2010 digitization of the St. Chad Gospels by the University of Oklahoma/Lichfield Cathedral project have been CC licensed & made available for batch download at lichfield.ou.edu/cc-download!
#medievalsky #paleography #insularart
#medievalsky #paleography #insularart
August 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
@englynsmith.bsky.social might this be of interest?
This pebble-vaulting might interest @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social. St Brelade, Jersey. I've never seen anything like it off this island. It feels crude, earthy, and somehow incredibly moving and holy.
July 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This pebble-vaulting might interest @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social. St Brelade, Jersey. I've never seen anything like it off this island. It feels crude, earthy, and somehow incredibly moving and holy.
It was arcane, and old-fashioned to the point almost of fustiness, and oddly prosaic. But the moment my child, in a gesture of medieval fealty, placed hands between those of another and was raised - in Latin - to the rank of Doctor of Philosophy will not ever leave me while I still have breath.
July 26, 2025 at 8:51 PM
It was arcane, and old-fashioned to the point almost of fustiness, and oddly prosaic. But the moment my child, in a gesture of medieval fealty, placed hands between those of another and was raised - in Latin - to the rank of Doctor of Philosophy will not ever leave me while I still have breath.
Funerals are sad, but today was a celebration. John Tatham was 102. Was a founder member of @busheysymphony.bsky.social, which I lead. Played violin in their 50th anniversary concert A MONTH before his death. In his 90s he was still putting chairs out for rehearsals. May we all learn from his joy.
July 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Funerals are sad, but today was a celebration. John Tatham was 102. Was a founder member of @busheysymphony.bsky.social, which I lead. Played violin in their 50th anniversary concert A MONTH before his death. In his 90s he was still putting chairs out for rehearsals. May we all learn from his joy.
I have played this, and it's like dancing with God.
Bach - Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 42 | Netherlands Bach Society
#ClassicalMusic
music.youtube.com/watch?v=JWKp...
#ClassicalMusic
music.youtube.com/watch?v=JWKp...
Bach - Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 42 | Netherlands Bach Society
YouTube video by Netherlands Bach Society
music.youtube.com
July 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I have played this, and it's like dancing with God.
Reposted by Martin Smith
beautifully written article, SO glad I read it. I wouldn't go so far after reading it as to say that pianos have 'souls' but ... it makes you wonder...
I wrote about all the pianos I got to play on and off stage last month
buttondown.com/doodlyroses/...
buttondown.com/doodlyroses/...
In which I review some pianos
Plus a concert recording
buttondown.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:45 AM
beautifully written article, SO glad I read it. I wouldn't go so far after reading it as to say that pianos have 'souls' but ... it makes you wonder...
Reposted by Martin Smith
🚨New recording out!🚨
As of today, you can hear my recording of Florence Price’s Fantasie nègre No. 2 on your preferred streaming service
lnkfi.re/0NnT7wOr
As of today, you can hear my recording of Florence Price’s Fantasie nègre No. 2 on your preferred streaming service
lnkfi.re/0NnT7wOr
Sharon Su - Florence Price: Fantasie nègre No. 2 in G Minor - Single
Listen to Florence Price: Fantasie nègre No. 2 in G Minor - Single by Sharon Su.
lnkfi.re
May 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
🚨New recording out!🚨
As of today, you can hear my recording of Florence Price’s Fantasie nègre No. 2 on your preferred streaming service
lnkfi.re/0NnT7wOr
As of today, you can hear my recording of Florence Price’s Fantasie nègre No. 2 on your preferred streaming service
lnkfi.re/0NnT7wOr
Reposted by Martin Smith
Well worth 5 minutes of your Sunday morning
The starfish delusion: why care, not strategy, is the real driver of change
Care is the ground all systems stand on: it is the refusal to be paralysed by the size of the problem, but to act in spite of it
By Mike Chitty
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
Care is the ground all systems stand on: it is the refusal to be paralysed by the size of the problem, but to act in spite of it
By Mike Chitty
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
The starfish delusion: why care, not strategy, is the real driver of change
Care is the ground all systems stand on: it is the refusal to be paralysed by the size of the problem, but to act in spite of it
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
July 20, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Well worth 5 minutes of your Sunday morning
Reposted by Martin Smith
Drove by an establishment in France called ‘Pain and Snacking’, which also happens to be my writing process.
July 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Drove by an establishment in France called ‘Pain and Snacking’, which also happens to be my writing process.
Just come away from an extremely colourful concert of African classical music at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk and now listening to the organ music of Fela Sowande, one of the featured computers. It's absolutely beautiful. And by God he can play the organ.
July 19, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Just come away from an extremely colourful concert of African classical music at the @wigmore-hall.org.uk and now listening to the organ music of Fela Sowande, one of the featured computers. It's absolutely beautiful. And by God he can play the organ.
Reposted by Martin Smith
Are you looking for regular orchestral playing and based in SW London? We’re always looking for new members. If you’re Grade 7 or higher, we want to hear from you! See our website for details.
www.richmondorchestra.org.uk/ro_joinus/
www.richmondorchestra.org.uk/ro_joinus/
Join Us - Richmond Orchestra
JOIN US Richmond Orchestra welcomes enquiries from keen amateur players and always keen to hear from string players. We currently […]
www.richmondorchestra.org.uk
July 19, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Are you looking for regular orchestral playing and based in SW London? We’re always looking for new members. If you’re Grade 7 or higher, we want to hear from you! See our website for details.
www.richmondorchestra.org.uk/ro_joinus/
www.richmondorchestra.org.uk/ro_joinus/
Have just lunched at the Henry Tudor Inn in Shrewsbury, and I must say it has been some time since I whimpered with delight at the first bite of a pub meal
July 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Have just lunched at the Henry Tudor Inn in Shrewsbury, and I must say it has been some time since I whimpered with delight at the first bite of a pub meal
Reposted by Martin Smith
F U Ckkkkkk
the Fantastic Four cast get asked about their own personal fantastic four, which leads to some canned niceties from pascal, kirby and quinn, and an insanely he knows ball answer from ebon.
July 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
F U Ckkkkkk
Remarkable and inspiring thread.
Recently got asked one of those default interview questions about "Name someone who inspires you".
I've always struggled with these questions, as I'm not one to put people on pedestals. But then I remembered someone who legitimately inspired me in every way
A former student of mine
1/15
I've always struggled with these questions, as I'm not one to put people on pedestals. But then I remembered someone who legitimately inspired me in every way
A former student of mine
1/15
July 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Remarkable and inspiring thread.