‘It’s really important in this altered musical landscape to think of innovative ways to bring live music to people,’ Sam Walton, LSO Percussion, explains. ‘Broadcasts are a great way to reach out, but nothing beats the visceral experience of being there live and sharing that experience with others.’
Over the LSO Local weekend, as well as performing as part of the LSO Percussion Ensemble, Sam organised a local concert in Hitchin. ‘Usually busy with the LSO’s touring schedule and hectic concert commitments in London, after lockdown I thought it would be nice to do something in my home town. I approached a local music venue, who were happy to host something. It felt wonderful being able to perform for friends, family and locals in Hitchin, and help in a small way to support local classical venues who, without our support, will struggle to survive the crisis.’
An audience member came to me after our concert with tears streaming down her face, explaining it has been her first live music since lockdown and she hadn’t realised how much she had missed it!
Germán Clavijo, Sam Walton and José Moreira at Benslow Music, Hitchin
As well as Sam, Germán and José in Hitchin, a string quintet made up of LSO musicians Rebecca Gilliver, Clare Duckworth, Naoko Keatley, Anna Bastow and Malcolm Johnston had a busy weekend performing in Kent churches, including a Saturday morning family concert.
LSO St Luke’s opened its doors for the weekend, too, with performances from two different chamber ensembles on each day of the weekend.
Clare Duckworth, Naoko Keatley, Rebecca Gilliver, Anna Bastow and Malcolm Johnston at St Martin of Tours, Chelsfield
There are some places where finding live music might come as a bit of a surprise … But as Sarah Quinn, LSO violin, knows, ‘It is vital to bring live music back into our communities. While many concert halls remain closed, this is a great way to share our music-making with those closest to us.’
And so it was that if you caught the train from Bowes Park Station on Saturday, you might have bumped into Sarah, Tom Goodman and Miya Väisänen at the Leafy Bean Cafe on Platform 1.
Or maybe you indulged in a bit of train and LSO-spotting at the Bedford Rose Garden, Alexandra Palace, where Sarah, Tom and Miya headed out for some more string trio performances on Sunday.
Sarah explains how the Bedford Rose Garden came into being: ‘This beautiful garden was a project led by local musician Michael Solomon Williams, who gradually built the garden up during lockdown. Intrigued passers-by started to make donations and since restrictions eased it has become very much a community project. I used to walk by every day during lockdown, and at my most fed up and frustrated this garden always lifted my spirits. It was amazing to be out and about playing in our local area! During lockdown community became even more important to us, and I appreciate it now more than ever. ‘
We even turned our own Tottenham warehouse into a concert venue, with three performances each day from the LSO Percussion Ensemble (Saturday) and Brass Ensemble (Sunday). For those that could brave the chilly weather, our good friends and neighbours on the industrial estate, Beavertown Brewery, served up a selection of their famous craft beers as pre-concert drinks.
For lots of our players, the LSO Local weekend was a chance to bring music to those who couldn’t make it out to venues. We know that sharing the power of music with people from all walks of life is close to our musicians’ hearts. We see it all year round, with LSO players at the centre of our education and community programme, LSO Discovery. So Robert Turner and Paul Robson, LSO Violins, took their instruments into Newham University Hospital (also enlisting the musical talents of a few hospital staff members!).
Amanda Truelove had a similar idea, choosing to perform in care homes in South London. ‘Performing to elderly residents who sat inside while I played and talked to them through open windows was such a pleasure. There was an incredible sense of gratitude for the live music and I will treasure the look on their faces while I played.’
Meanwhile, at The Paddock Retirement Apartments, Muswell Hill, one resident told LSO violins Belinda McFarlane and Alix Lagasse: ‘I don’t have an iPhone or computer, and I haven’t seen or heard any music in half a year – I am so grateful for you coming here and playing to me today’.
Finally, where could be more local to our musicians than their own doorsteps? From Steve Doman with ‘Bach before bedtime’ in Birmingham, to Belinda, Alix, Matt Gardner and Richard Blayden in Muswell Hill, LSO players took music out into their own streets, prompting heart-warming scenes, as neighbours danced in the streets. Watch on Instagram
After all that packed into one weekend, there’s nothing left to say except a huge thank you to all of our musicians, local venues, backstage crew and, of course, audiences for making it happen!
