Classical Music In and After Lockdown: How COVID19 inspired a community of classical music musicians
A selection of digital lockdown performances that lifted the mood during the first few months of the COVID19 crisis
Last updated 9th Jun 2020
Three months or so of lockdown, the banning of mass gatherings and the closure of concert halls, theatres and other entertainment spaces, has seen a dramatic shift in the activities of many classical musicians and ensembles.
Some have turned to lockdown videos to reach out to their isolated audience, others have embarked on live streams from their living rooms to help maintain awareness of themselves and kickstart their sense of purpose at a point in time when the banning of mass gatherings means live performance isn’t possible.
Others have used it as an opportunity to explore 'under the bonnet' and discuss different aspects of music-making their audience wouldn't normally have an opportunity to discover.
The view of musicians we've seen over the past three months is now all too familiar - a visual reminder of the necessary wait audiences and performers have to endure until concert halls re-open to the public.
We’re combining some of the music which has been made in lockdown alongside some of the thoughts, feelings and predictions from leading musicians in our ‘Classical Music In And After Lockdown’ documentary airing on Sunday 7 June from 1pm.
Nominate a lockdown performance for an RPS Inspiration Award
And on Friday, the Royal Philharmonic Society announced a new category in their annual awards programme for the classical music world: a series of Inspiration Awards, for classical musicians, organisations and initiatives that have particularly set out to inspire the nation during lockdown, inviting members of the public nationally to share what has moved them musically since mid-March.
You can find more information about the RPS Awards and how to nominate a musician, ensemble or organisation here.
Some of our digital favourites from the past three months
In addition to a rich selection of archive concerts made available by The Aurora Orchestra, Opera Holland Park, London Philharmonic's LPO Online, and London Symphony Orchestra Always Playing, we’ve also come up with a list of our recent favourites to accompany the 'Classical Music In and After Lockdown' documentary airing on Scala Radio, Sunday 1-3pm in the list below. It’s by no means comprehensive.
Living Room Live
Living Room Live was the subject of a blog post written by former Scala Session contributor Tamsin Waley-Cohen. The website pulled together a range of instrumentalists from across the world, all performing live from their homes at the height of lockdown. Some of the performances are still available for catch-up.
London Mozart Players
Members of the London Mozart Players have been writing about their experiences in lockdown in a series of personal blog posts published on the Scala Radio website in recent weeks. They’ve also been very busy making exclusive YouTube content as part of the ‘At Home With LMP’ series.
If you’ve ever wondered about the complexities of conducting including the often-asked question about whose ‘boss’ in an opera production, be sure to watch conductor Timothy Henty’s series 'The Grounded Conductor' made in lockdown with a few cameras and a green screen. Inventive, resourceful and informative.
Chineke!
A mass of musicians playing the Military March from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Othello Suite, directed multiple conductors and, as far as we can make out, no earpieces to guide the musicians. In a sea of similarly styled lockdown videos Chineke!’s rousing performance like that of Karina Cannellakis’ video of Vaughan Williams ‘ Thomas Tallis Fantasy illustrates some of the magic we perhaps take for granted when we experience an ensemble live.
The Sixteen
What do singers do when they can’t perform? They practise whilst they’re doing their everyday tasks. Once member of the vocal group The Sixteen even gave birth during the production of the group’s lockdown video of Sheppard’s Libera Nos. New mum Katy appeared on Angellica Bell’s breakfast show a few weeks ago to talk about the experience.
Fenella Humphreys
Scala Session-ee Fenella Humphreys was one of a handful of musicians who early on in the crisis responded with determination and drive, launching a series of regular livestreams via YouTube. Short recitals of music by Bach helped soften the edges early on. Fenella, we salute you.
Nicola Benedetti Virtual Sessions
A few months before lockdown began Nicola Benedetti launched an ambitious country-wide education project for young people, young adults and amateur musicians. The critically acclaimed sessions were hugely popular amongst participants. When lockdown threatened to halt the project, Nicola Benedetti and her team responded with characteristic determination and flair.
The result was a series of video-based workshops designed to supplement one-to-one teaching in addition to create as near-as-possible ensemble playing for the project participants. The sessions culminated in a final celebration concert on 31 May featuring a range of world-renowned artists and the participants. An hour long video concert guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Beethoven Concerto No. 3
It’s possible that the opportunity to listen to a ‘scratch orchestra’ version of Beethoven's third piano concerto wouldn’t have appealed quite so much had it not have been for lockdown. Isata Kanneh-Mason’s performance with her siblings (including brother Sheku whose ‘Melody’ featured on Scala Radio and in our lockdown documentary) streamed live from the family’s home capitalised on the moment. With a restricted range of instruments, the Kanneh-Mason’s performance revealed the complexity and brilliance of Beethoven’s writing in a highly spirited performance. At the time of writing, the video has been streamed over one million times.
Gramophone Lockdown Gala
Although now no-longer available, the Gramophone Magazine Lockdown Gala brought together a range of world-renowned musicians in pre-recorded performances that had fans of classical music and opera hooked. Viewers were able to donate to Help Musicians UK throughout the YouTube Premiere.
Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall
The beginning of the lockdown in the UK was signposted in classical music terms by the opening up of the Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall to non-subscribers. For a limited time, newcomers could watch all of the BPO’s archive for free (including striking performances given by the orchestra to an entirely empty Berlin Philharmonie auditorium). Demand was so high the website fell over. Free concerts from Easter are available now. Tickets for new live streams cost £14.
Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall in London is arguably seen across the world as the UK home of chamber music and has for a long time live streamed selected concerts via YouTube. This month they’ve brought selected musicians together for a series of lunchtime concerts – the first live events since the doors were closed in late March 2020 – in the Wigmore’s empty auditorium. Poignant events kicked off by a piano recital by recent Album of the Week dedicatee Stephen Hough. Watch via YouTube.
Self-Isolation Choir
The Self-Isolation Choir embarked on an ambitious goal, bringing together professional soloists and amateur choral singers from across the UK in a virtual performance of Handel’s Messiah. The video is available on-demand via YouTube.
Listen to Scala Radio’s ‘Classical Music In and After Lockdown’ on Sunday 7 June from 1pm or for seven days after broadcast**.**
If you’re a musician in need of support during the COVID19 outbreak, Help Musicians UK are available across the UK for support and advice, offering a variety of different services. Visit Coronamusicians.info for more information**.**