Whisky Works – As the Barrel Turns (Episode 24)

This week, for As the Barrel Turns, the good doctor is away on important baseball business. To fill the void, the family decides to hold a party. We hire an orchestra. The Guelph Symphony Orchestra to be precise…

…who invite their friends…

who come in droves…

…and stay despite the rain. Inclement weather forces the orchestra from the garden (see them above at the far right?) to the shelter of the lichgate.

Quite the troopers. The oboist and French horn player ignore the light drizzle and ominous thunder to entertain us.

The French horn doesn’t miss a beat despite a few drops of rain.

Meanwhile, nice and dry inside, Artistic Director and conductor Simon Irving, agrees to turn the barrel in Andrew’s absence. After all, once he heard that Phil Langlotz used us to flog the Sack of Yams, he had to show those rockers what classically trained musicians can do.

While Phil brought a canvas carrying bag and a photocopied flyer, Irving brings out the big guns — a CD and four-colour brochures.

Ready to perform the turn, Irving isn’t sure where to begin. “Where’s the Handel?” he asks.

“Is it in the Bach?”

No, Simon. Just use your hands.

To warm up, Irving waves his makeshift baton. A one and a two…

…and a three and a four.

Irving performs the rotation with the grace and ease of a true artist…

…then retires to the garden for afternoon tea and scones.

But before he leaves, in another plug for the orchestra, Irving assures us that Thomson’s whisky is destined to become a local classic.