15 April 2020

Lockdown Live: Sinfonietta Shorts Live Supported By Lark Music

By Lark Music
Microphone stand in front of a sign displaying the

London Sinfonietta’s World Premiere Wednesday breakfast concerts, supported by Lark Music, have become regular events over the past few years with guests gathering at London venues before going to work to listen to a newly commissioned piece of music.

Determined that this will not completely change during the lockdown, London Sinfonietta is now putting the performances online so do tune into the first of the new series of Sinfonietta Shorts Live on Wednesday, April 15, at 3pm.

The 40-minute online concert will include the world premiere of a new commission by composer Edmund Finnis, Three Solos, supported by Lark Music and performed by principal cello Tim Gill.

Edmund Finnis

The programme will also feature Emma-Ruth Richard’s solo cello work Dark Radiance, commissioned by the London Sinfonietta in the same series of Sinfonietta Shorts in 2017. Both Edmund and Emma-Ruth will discuss their work and take questions from the online audience.

This event marks the start of Lockdown Live – and  Sinfonietta Shorts Live will be a weekly series bringing bite-size pieces of new music direct to people’s homes every Wednesday at 3pm. Please watch the live stream by clicking here.

Emma-Ruth Richard

London Sinfonietta Chief Executive & Artistic Director Andrew Burke said: “We all know that there is nothing like live music – that’s a sacred ritual, whether it’s going to a concert or pop gig, but during the lockdown we want to stay close to our players and the composers whose music we play so they can engage in meaningful activity and secure opportunities online.

“Once it is safe, confidence will grow again because live music is such a special thing. In the meantime we want to dedicate ourselves to players’ and composers’ well-being and that includes giving them the opportunity to reach audiences.”

“Streaming live events is now really important and a logical way to reach our audience and attract new listeners. Perhaps this will now be the journey, to go live online and then move on to live performances.

“The London Sinfonietta Channel launched in January and consists of video pieces, podcasts, photography and articles; new content is added weekly so please subscribe to stay in the loop.

“We look forward to welcoming you to the Sinfonietta Shorts Live performance on Wednesday and we hope the series keeps you entertained and inspired over the coming weeks.”

Aston Lark Director David Foster said: “We have always enjoyed supporting the London Sinfonietta at World Premiere Wednesday breakfasts so in this changing landscape it makes sense to share the new music online to reach new and bigger audiences.

“All of us in business are looking at how to develop slicker ways to work and we applaud the London Sinfonietta for supporting its musicians and composers so well and exploring more digital work on the London Sinfonietta Channel during the lockdown.”