Off to China

It's wonderful to report that after their thrilling performance of The Welcome Arrival of Rain at the Barbican last night, Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra will be playing the piece again next week, on tour in Shanghai and Beijing. (It's probably just as well that I won't be boarding the planes with them, but nice to contemplate from afar, and hopefully sometime on BBC Radio 3.)

My photo shows Warwick Avenue Tube station, gateway to Maida Vale Studios for all these many decades. Numberless strolls up Delaware Road, with much anticipation (usually handsomely repaid) to hear new work being rehearsed by the BBCSO, BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Chorus. But not for much longer: following the sale of the Studios in 2023, the BBC's ensembles will have moved out by The Last Night of the Proms this year. Sitting in Studio One for a Welcome Arrival rehearsal this week, I realised with a start that it would probably be my last time listening to my own music in that generous, reassuring space.