Rattle conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in rehearsals for Debussy’s L’Apres Midi

The OAE’s Sunday night double-whammy at the Queen Elizabeth Hall this weekend has caught my attention, largely because conductor Simon Rattle is up on the podium.

The man is fast becoming a hero, possibly because I’m still in Diamond Jubilee mode and like the Queen have to use multiple fingers to count how many years his presence has been felt in the arts world.

My first memory of him was a reference made by a friend of mine who played in the National Youth Orchestra in the late 80s. Rattle reportedly commented that during his time in the orchestra he found not only the quality of playing to be good, but also the sex too.

Rattle’s groovy status was secured then, something enhanced over time by his seemingly mad curly white hair and other-worldly demeanour. He emanates warmth, making him not just a conductor, but a mentor too for performers of all ages.

The OAE have released rehearsal footage of Rattle conducting a sequence in Debussy’s L’Apres Midi earlier this week. It’s gorgeous music anyway, but a bit of a treat to see. Musicians (conductors especially) are normally quite grumpy about having the bonnet lifted before a concert. So whilst it’s up, feast your eyes and ears on this.

The Night Shift: In rehearsal from OAE on Vimeo.

Exclusive rehearsal footage with conductor Sir Simon Rattle rehearsing the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Debussy's L’Apres Midi.

The Night Shift is London's unique late-night classical event, and is back on 10 June with an event featuring star conductor Sir Simon Rattle and two masterpieces by Claude Debussy. Advance tickets are just £9

Full information at www.oae.co.uk/thenightshift

Tickets for the Night Shift gig (at the Royal Festival Hall) are £9 and available on the door or via the South Bank website. The bar opens at 9pm and the DJ plays until midnight after the gig, presented by the ever adorable Alistair Appleton.

The OAE are also performing a fuller programme of works earlier on at the Royal Festival Hall at 7pm with Rattle too. Bless them, they’re all going to quite tired bunnies when they’ve finished playing that night.