Keep Music Playing / 2
We hope you enjoyed our first round-up of musical highlights. We have been buoyed and inspired by the fabulous response to share music making, ensuring we can stand together, while far apart.
One of the most exciting elements of my role as Deputy Principal is bringing together performance and academic work. Our Original Voices programme has brought some of the most unique musicians working today to the College, inspiring students and audiences.
Their fluidity of thinking and presenting work has never been more necessary during these unprecedented times, when we are relying so heavily on digital platforms to keep us socially and culturally engaged.
The RNCM thrives by bringing people together to share musical experiences. We promise each week to continue to share unique stories and videos, to help keep our musical community a part of your lives.
All the very best,
Manus Carey
Deputy Principal, (Performance and Programmes)
Bang on a Can Allstars
One of our most recent Original Voices concerts, the US ensemble, Bang on a Can Allstars, brought their internationally acclaimed, dynamic live show to Manchester, crossing boundaries between classical, jazz, rock, world and experimental music -producing a truly inspirational night of category defying music.
I am delighted to be able share this link to their YouTube channel, featuring over 40 unique videos for you to enjoy:
A special performance from Stephen Hough
Many of you will have experienced the sheer joy of watching Stephen Hough, alumni and Companion of the RNCM, and undoubtedly, one of the finest musicians of his generation. Stephen was kind enough to record this beautiful short film for us from his home in NYC.
From Stephen and all at the RNCM, please enjoy this glorious version of Bach Gounod Meditation (Ave Maria) to ease you into the weekend.
Craig Ogden livestream on 28 March
Another of our most respected alum, and current tutors, will also playing a very special concert, streamed directly from his home. Acclaimed classical guitarist Craig Ogden, the youngest instrumentalist to have received a Fellowship from the RNCM, is launching the first of the London Mozart Players ‘At Home with LMP’ Saturday Sessions.
In a live Facebook stream, Craig will perform much-loved classics from the guitar repertoire, including music by Scarlatti, Dowland, Coste, Barrios and excerpts from Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Streaming will be available via the LMP’s Facebook page at 7pm on Saturday 28th March.
Hastings International Piano Competition
For those of you missing your fix of stunning piano performances, we are delighted to share a link to the Hastings International Piano Competition. They will be streaming RNCM student, and Leverhulme Scholar, Maxim Kinasov, performing this evening. Not only will they showcase Maxim, they will also pay him a performance fee, now increasingly vital for our musicians, who rely on playing live for their financial security. Catch it here at 7pm tonight.
#KeepMusic Playing campaign
We have received so many wonderful responses to our #KeepMusicPlaying campaign and look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks.
One message in particular touched our hearts, reminding us of the many roles a musician plays in our community. One of our most honoured alumni, Janet Fulton, Principal Percussionist of Manchester Camerata and the current RPS/ABO orchestral player of the year, is, in the absence of professional commitments, now volunteering at the Yorkshire Ambulance Control Centre, to help out on the front line in this time of crisis.
She won’t be giving up opportunities to perform though, Janet is already formulating plans to find an outdoor space to play in– we’ll be sending more details in future emails.
We have been incredibly touched by your messages of support during this challenging time. Many of you will undoubtedly understand the precarious financial situation our students are facing right now.
So many generous supporters have asked how they may help and, with this in mind, we have set up a giving page which explains how a donation, however large or small, really can help a student in need. More details can be found here and please do take a look if you able, we would be so very grateful.
And finally
If you’re missing our eclectic concert programme and the buzz of the RNCM, then you’ll be delighted to hear that tonight at 6pm we will be launching our own online radio station! You can tune in here on our website.
We’ll be bringing you the very best of the RNCM; showcasing the work of our staff, students and alumni via news, interviews and performances from our archives, right into your home.
We would love to interview our alumni for the station, please can anyone interested email us on [email protected]. It has been so good to hear what you are all doing to #KeepMusicPlaying during these strange times; we’d love more of our community to hear your stories.
27 March 2020
