Magic Casements

I'd like to share something very special that's been happening to me recently.

My story revolves around a little volume of piano pieces called Magic Casements which I've had in my possession since I was 10 years old.  They were composed by Constance Harper (1903-77) and given to me by her sister Lilian (1901-83), who asked me to take good care of them.  The sisters were neighbours of ours in Southport when I was growing up.

The Harper family had occupied a large house at Plymouth Grove in Manchester which had previously been owned by the author Elizabeth Gaskell.  In the early seventies, Constance and Lilian sold the property to the University of Manchester so they could retire to Southport.  It is now owned by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust and has been restored and opened to the public in memory of Elizabeth Gaskell.

A few weeks ago I visited the house for the first time.  I received a very warm welcome from the volunteers there who were very interested in my connection to the Harpers and I promised to send them some of my recollections.  You can read the full story here -

http://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/at-home-with-the-harpers/

I'm very happy to say that I will be visiting the house again on October 20th to perform Magic Casements by Constance Harper and a few songs of my own.  I'm excited and overwhelmed to have been given this opportunity to bring Constance's music back to life in the Harpers' family home.