Like many people, I’ve found Lockdown incredibly difficult. One of the biggest challenges for me has been the lack of opportunity to escape; to hide form the stresses and strains of the world for a while and submerge myself in beautiful music.
However, as in previous times of crisis, the arts have risen to the challenge and a great influx of concerts began streaming right into our own homes.
Here is my list of 10 classical concerts from the last 12 months to catch-up on while you still have the chance.
1. Wigmore Hall, Nash Ensemble: Dvorák and Schubert
Copywrite: Wigmore Hall/Nash Ensemble
Wigmore Hall really must be congratulated for their work over the last twelve months. Despite a short hiatus at the beginning of the pandemic, they have adapted and evolved to continue presenting fabulous concerts. And this one from their Resident Chamber Ensemble certainly does not disappoint.
As usual, the Nash Ensemble bring their energy and commitment to create a fizzing level of excitement and it’s easy to forget there was no audience present in the Hall. Featuring piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass, the programme includes Antonin Dvorak’s Piano Quartet No. 2 in E flat major Op. 87 and Franz Schubert The Trout D667. Familiar and reassuring, the exquisite ensemble playing provides a fitting tribute to the memory of industry legend Dvora Lewis.
Available for free as part of Wigmore Hall’s archive of live streamed concerts. Simply follow the link https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/live-streams/nash-ensemble-dvorak-and-schubert and create an account to get watching.
2. St Martin in the Fields, Fresh Horizons Series, London Mozart Players: Four World Seasons
Copywrite: Kevin Day
Forming part of a new series by St Martin in the Fields, this bright and uplifting concert displays real colour and energy in both its programme and its performances. Originally written to compliment Vivaldi’s Four Season’s Roxanna Panufnik’s composition Four World Seasons transports the listener around the globe. From Japan to Albania, the music swells with colour and verve. Juxtaposed with heartfelt and lyrical love songs, the work is captivatingly lead by violinist Ruth Rogers. The other programmed item, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires is characteristically vibrant and exciting. Together these pieces do conjure up the image of a fresh world, bright with energy and possibility.
Available for a small fee from the St Martin in the Fields website https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/whatson-event/london-mozart-players-four-world-seasons/ until the 27th February 2021
3. Live Streamed twitter recitals, Igor Levit (Piano)
Copywrite: Felix Broede/Sony Classical
Beginning way back in Lockdown 1.0, renowned Russian-German pianist Igor Levit began streaming nightly recitals on Twitter. His repertoire has varied wildly from the rigidly classical to Billy Joel, but all delivered with finesse and conviction. Discussing in an interview, Levit explained that the performances became a lifeline, a way to connect to the world he loved, and which provided him with an identity.[1]
Listening back, this passion and honesty is evident within all his paying. While the entire series are remarkable and worthy of a listen, the moments I find particularly powerful and relatable are when you can hear Levit’s own emotional doubts and torments within a piece. To me, it is reassuring to see how others are coping being separated from the art that has dominated their life for so long.
Find Levit’s collection of concerts on his Twitter feed @igorpianist
4. Royal Opera HOuse Online: Tony and the Young Artists
Copywrite: Royal Opera House
Recorded in the suave surroundings of the Royal Opera Houses’ Crush Room, this concert combines some of the finest voices of a generation with a collection of loved songs. The varied programme includes operatic classics such as ‘Fra gli amplessi’ from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte and Fenton’s aria from Verdi’s Falstaff as well as a series of cabaret songs from the likes of Kurt Weill and William Bolcom.
This uplifting concert really does warm the soul and demonstrates wonderful musical talent. Soprano Alexandra Lowe and tenor Filipe Mani close the show with a spellbinding and truly believable rendition of Tonight from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. Mezzo Stephanie Wake-Edwards also delivers commanding performances throughout while ROH Music Director Tony Pappano accompanies with great fineness.
Available for a small fee via the Royal Opera House website https://stream.roh.org.uk/packages/tony-and-the-young-artists/videos/tony-and-the-young-artists?_ga=2.252769609.1373536702.1613689916-967132451.1613495486 until the 21st March 2021
5. Only Stage Digital Season “All about Bach! Festival”, Luca Franzetti (Cello): Cello Suites
In a series of 9 streamed concerts occurring between January and March 2021, Franzetti’s contribution provides a moment of solace. Understated and eloquent, the 2nd and 3rd suites (in D minor and C major respectively) provide beautiful material for a truly gifted player. Recorded in the palatial surroundings of a church, the video quality may leave a little to be desired, but the power of the playing is quick to overcome this. Having spent years striving to perfect the suites as technical exercises on the saxophone, it is lovely to hear such a grounded performance on their intended instrumentation.
So far, the entire season has provided rewarding listening but Franzetti’s years of dedication to solo baroque music shines through this concert.
Available for free through Only Stage’s YouTube channel accessible through http://www.onlystage.co.uk/digital-season/
6. London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski with Mary Bevan (Soprano): Interrupted Stories
Copywrite: Marquee TV/Southbank Centre
Originally intended to feature the premier of James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio, the final concert of the LOP’s Vision 2020 series provides a fascinating look at some of the lesser known works of the last 300 years. The varied programme begins with Vivaldi’s Overture to the mainly forgotten opera La Verità in Cimento before moving into Louis Spohr’s Symphony No. 2 in D minor Op. 49. Both of these contain moments of magic, but my personal favourites occur in the second half of the programme.
Arthur Bliss’s 1920 composition Rout with its Dada-style lyrics is powerfully performed by ever-engaging Mary Beavan. In stark contrast, MacMillan’s Sinfonietta, which fills the final spot creates an elegiac stillness throughout. A stillness which, enhanced by the emptiness of the Royal Festival Hall, encourages contemplation on the trials and tribulations of the last year. As they say in their programme notes, ‘through good times and bad music has never stopped grappling with the human experience. Art, like life, finds a way’.
Available for free on the streaming platform Marquee TV https://www.marquee.tv/videos/lpo-interruptedstories
7. Hallé Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Bloxham with soloist Jess Gillam (Saxophone) and Poet Laurette Simon Armitage: The Event Horizon
Copywrite: Bill Lam and The Hallé
Beginning with Armitage reading his poem The Event Horizon, this concert builds its programme around ideas of reminiscence and hope. A beautiful juxtaposition occurs between the final line of the poem ‘where raw music comes pitching into the soul’ and the understated solitude of Aaron Copland’s Quiet City. The centrepiece of the concert is the premier of Hannah Kendall’s lockdown composition Where Is the Chariot of Fire. Stirring and lyrical, this piece takes the listener on an emotional and spiritual journey. The mood of the concert takes a nostalgic turn with Gillam’s performance of Glazunov’s iconic Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Strings, beautifully played with great charm and dexterity. Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite closes the concert having transported the listener to a world of fairy tales and magic.
The combination of a reflective and thought-provoking programme with the Hallé’s committed and spirited performance ensures a vivid and captivating listen.
Available until 14th April for a small fee on the Hallé’s website www.halle.co.uk
8. Royal Albert Home, Jess Gillam (Saxophone): Exclusive Home Session
Copywrite: Robin Clewley
Yes, Jess Gillam is back again!
Some might say it’s because I am biased as a saxophonist myself, but her repeated presence on this list has more to it than that. As well as her captivatingly mellifluous tone, Gillam brings a wonderfully energetic enthusiasm to her work. Whatever the setting, she welcomes the audience in with her vibrant smile and northern charm, removing many preconceptions about what a classical musician should be like.
Gillam is accompanied by her flatmate, bass player Sam Becker. Together they cover a varied repertoire from Astor Piazzola to David Bowie interspersed with laidback, friendly conversation. The informal atmosphere is juxtaposed beautifully with fluent and agile playing really highlighting the great skill both of these young musicians have. Mainly featuring the soprano saxophone, the diversity in timbre between the instruments provides an unusual yet engaging combination. At only 30 minutes long, this session is well worth your time and guaranteed to make you smile.
Available on the Royal Albert Hall website in the Archive collection via the link https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2020/royal-albert-home-jess-gillam/
9. Barbican, The Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Richard Egarr with Rowan Pierce (Soprano), Iestyn Davies (Countertenor), Ben Johnson (Tenor) and Ashley Riches (Bass): Handel’s Messiah
Copywrite: Mark Allan
For me, no year would be complete without hearing a performance of the Messiah. Fortunately, my fears of having to miss it in 2020 were dispelled by this fabulous reedition form the Barbican. Filled with passion and dynamism, the occasion is joyful and uplifting. Egarr’s nuanced interpretation, delivered from the harpsichord, provides refreshing listening with his deliberate use of ornamentation and intriguing manipulation of tempo. He leads The Academy of Ancient Music with great conviction and, as always, their historically informed performance is captivating to behold. The lightness of touch throughout really allows the supreme soloists to shine through. The Messiah’s central message is one of hope and this rendition really does succeed in going beyond individual religion and encourages a communal sense of faith and spirituality.
Available for a small fee through the Barbican’s On Demand service through https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/concerts-on-demand-handels-messiah until 24th March 2021
10. Wigmore Hall, Gweneth Ann Rand (Soprano) and Simon Lepper (Piano): Messiaen
Copywrite: Wigmore Hall
For the final item on this list, we return to Wigmore Hall. A wonderfully charismatic performer, Gweneth Ann Rand never disappoints in her work, and this concert is no exception. Her passion and control are clear throughout Messiaen’s challenging song cycle Harawi. Subtitled ‘Song of love and death’, highly surrealist lyrics punctuate the work and Rand’s delivery is crystal clear. Weaving beautifully within the texture of the piano, the vocalist and pianist interact with great skill and success. The power of emotions within Messiaen’s piece is clear and this concert provides a fabulous distraction from the troubles of the real world.
Available for free as part of Wigmore Hall’s archive of live streamed concerts. Simply follow the link https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/live-streams/gweneth-ann-rand-soprano-simon-lepper-piano and create an account to get watching.
[1] Fiona Maddocks, ‘Interview – Igor Levit: “These Concerts Were Lifesaving for Me”’, Observer, section New Review Q&A <https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/24/igor-levit-pianist-online-twitter-concerts-life-saving-lockdown-berlin>.
Polyphony 