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 been listening to this, and it’s really cheered me up. Such a good piece!
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I’ve been listening to this, and it’s really cheered me up. Such a good piece!
This is a very good a Petrushka, on two accordions.
January 24, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This is a very good a Petrushka, on two accordions.
I’m lucky enough to be performing this tomorrow. The 1945 version sounds extraordinary when you’re sat in the middle of it, the colours brighter and the quirky details easier to hear. Genius. #stravinsky #firebird
January 23, 2026 at 2:51 PM
I’m lucky enough to be performing this tomorrow. The 1945 version sounds extraordinary when you’re sat in the middle of it, the colours brighter and the quirky details easier to hear. Genius. #stravinsky #firebird
Screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro, so it's well done if a bit sentimental. The Kurosawa one made me cry more!
January 22, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro, so it's well done if a bit sentimental. The Kurosawa one made me cry more!
Watch some vintage Japanese films! Ikiru or Tokyo Story are brilliant entry points. Both made me blub.
January 21, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Watch some vintage Japanese films! Ikiru or Tokyo Story are brilliant entry points. Both made me blub.
Just picked this up in Lidl. Have never tried it before and am slightly apprehensive. Should I be? #leāomatte #yerbamate #tea
January 20, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Just picked this up in Lidl. Have never tried it before and am slightly apprehensive. Should I be? #leāomatte #yerbamate #tea
Here’s mine. Cheap on eBay!
January 19, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Here’s mine. Cheap on eBay!
When I stay with my in-laws in France, I still enjoy looking through their multi-volume 1960s Grand Larousse encyclopaedia.
January 18, 2026 at 7:53 PM
When I stay with my in-laws in France, I still enjoy looking through their multi-volume 1960s Grand Larousse encyclopaedia.
BS Johnson’s The Unfortunates and Julio Cortázar’s Hopscotch are famous examples of books with chapters to be read in any order. Here’s Edward Gorey’s The Helpless Doorknob, a story printed on 20 cards which are shuffled before reading. It’s gorgeous. #edwardgorey #fiction #bsjohnson
January 18, 2026 at 6:49 PM
BS Johnson’s The Unfortunates and Julio Cortázar’s Hopscotch are famous examples of books with chapters to be read in any order. Here’s Edward Gorey’s The Helpless Doorknob, a story printed on 20 cards which are shuffled before reading. It’s gorgeous. #edwardgorey #fiction #bsjohnson
I’ve got this box set - loads of good stuff in it.
January 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
I’ve got this box set - loads of good stuff in it.
There’s an egg vending machine near us. I loved using it until one of the boxes contained a completely rotten egg which stank out our kitchen for days.
January 17, 2026 at 8:20 PM
There’s an egg vending machine near us. I loved using it until one of the boxes contained a completely rotten egg which stank out our kitchen for days.
This is fun - orchestrated versions of the six Trio Sonatas.
January 13, 2026 at 5:42 PM
This is fun - orchestrated versions of the six Trio Sonatas.
I rescued a copy of Stig of the Dump last week - a school I was in was throwing a pile of them out. Beautiful Ardizzone illustrations. Love the comment that ‘adventurous’ girls might enjoy it.
January 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM
I rescued a copy of Stig of the Dump last week - a school I was in was throwing a pile of them out. Beautiful Ardizzone illustrations. Love the comment that ‘adventurous’ girls might enjoy it.
I remember liking this one, which came out around the same time, I think.
January 11, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I remember liking this one, which came out around the same time, I think.
I really enjoyed bingeing on Powell & Pressburger a few years ago.
January 11, 2026 at 8:14 AM
I really enjoyed bingeing on Powell & Pressburger a few years ago.
2026's first CD selection, and it's a good one: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #julieroset #fernandolopez-graca #alberga #mahler #schubert #nicolabenedetti
January 10, 2026 at 7:28 AM
2026's first CD selection, and it's a good one: www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #julieroset #fernandolopez-graca #alberga #mahler #schubert #nicolabenedetti
I can’t compete. This is all I have.
January 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I can’t compete. This is all I have.
This is Bertie, an RSPCA rescue who we adopted as a kitten. Today is his 15th birthday, and he's in excellent shape.
January 9, 2026 at 12:53 PM
This is Bertie, an RSPCA rescue who we adopted as a kitten. Today is his 15th birthday, and he's in excellent shape.
Our subjective pick of the year's BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM RELEASES, each one a zinger: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #arvopart #kapustin #antaldorati #shostakovich #terryriley #seandoherty #exaudi
December 27, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Our subjective pick of the year's BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM RELEASES, each one a zinger: theartsdesk.com/classical-mu... @bernardhughes.bsky.social @seb-scotney.bsky.social #arvopart #kapustin #antaldorati #shostakovich #terryriley #seandoherty #exaudi
This is my favourite Scandi Christmas album. Fabulous stuff.
December 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This is my favourite Scandi Christmas album. Fabulous stuff.
Finding this ruined summerhouse in Leeds’ Roundhay Park is so much easier in the winter. Lovely spot. #leeds #secretplaces
December 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Finding this ruined summerhouse in Leeds’ Roundhay Park is so much easier in the winter. Lovely spot. #leeds #secretplaces
Being able to upgrade to 1st Class on @seatfrog.bsky.social is a godsend on a long train journey for the legroom alone. Alas, the new SeatFrog app needs a new iOS which my old phone cannot install, so I'm stuffed. Why does everything have to be on a bloody app? #traintravel #badseats @lner.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Being able to upgrade to 1st Class on @seatfrog.bsky.social is a godsend on a long train journey for the legroom alone. Alas, the new SeatFrog app needs a new iOS which my old phone cannot install, so I'm stuffed. Why does everything have to be on a bloody app? #traintravel #badseats @lner.co.uk
The Fantomas trilogy takes in exploding cigars, rubber face masks, rockets, a flying Citroen DS and the great Jean Marais. Think Mission: Impossible, but sillier and French: theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray... #eurekabluray #fantomas #jeanmarais #louisdefunes
December 23, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The Fantomas trilogy takes in exploding cigars, rubber face masks, rockets, a flying Citroen DS and the great Jean Marais. Think Mission: Impossible, but sillier and French: theartsdesk.com/film/blu-ray... #eurekabluray #fantomas #jeanmarais #louisdefunes
Have just nipped into the beautiful Leeds Central Library to collect my Chapel Allerton history book, written by the very affable Steven Burt and edited by @leedstours.bsky.social . It's a hefty tome @leedscivictrust.bsky.social #chapelallerton #leeds #localhistory #publiclibraries
December 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Have just nipped into the beautiful Leeds Central Library to collect my Chapel Allerton history book, written by the very affable Steven Burt and edited by @leedstours.bsky.social . It's a hefty tome @leedscivictrust.bsky.social #chapelallerton #leeds #localhistory #publiclibraries
It’s wonderful
December 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It’s wonderful