WATCH a preview of the London Symphony Chorus tribute to health and care workers who have died of COVID-19
A new song written by composer Howard Goodall is to be performed by the London Symphony Chorus and members of the London Symphony Chorus, paying tribute to the health and care workers who have died of COVID-19 will premiere on YouTube on Sunday.
Composed by Howard Goodall CBE and commissioned by the London Symphony Chorus, Never to Forget pays tribute to 122 health and care workers who were among the first to have died from Covid-19.
The text of this new piece is made up entirely of the names of these health and care workers, and when complete, the song will be extended to include all names of those health and care workers who have died by the time of its first live performance. Currently this stands at over 300 names.
Watch a preview of Howard Goodall's 'Never to Forget'
Howard Goodall's creation joins a canon of compositions in which artists have responded to the world around them.
Goodall said, "Like so many creative artists I have been wanting to respond to the pandemic crisis in a way that would seem appropriate and sensitive to those who have been at the forefront of the struggle and that would demonstrate to them our collective solidarity and gratitude. The dedication and sacrifice of key health and care workers has been truly humbling. A choral work, even one that could initially be compiled from singers' own homes, seemed fitting."
Simon Halsey CBE, choral director, London Symphony Chorus, said: “We felt that we must do something to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution made by health and care workers at a time of international crisis and this piece offers us a chance to get involved in a meaningful project: one that we hope will enable us, as a music community, to give back something to those affected by the crisis.”
How to watch the premiere of the London Symphony Chorus performance of Howard Goodall's 'Never to Forget'
To coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the NHS, the premiere performance will take place online Sunday 5 July at 10.00am GMT on YouTube.