The series begins with a poignant programme entitled Requiem For Our Time, honouring those who have suffered and lost
their lives to COVID-19. It is also given in memory of Martin Loveday, a
former cellist with the Academy who died from Coronavirus in April 2020.
Pärt’s Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten opens the concert,
followed by Williams and Sampson performing Fauré’s (arr. Rutter) Requiem with St Martin’s Voices, conducted by Andrew Earis (12
September).
Each concert is named after a theme from the experience of the pandemic
including Regeneration, Isolation & Friendship,Mourning & Hope and Awakening. Overcoming Distance includes music by Bach and Mozart as well as
Messiaen’s Abîme des Oiseaux, James MacMillan’s Interlude from ‘Since it was the day of Preparation’ and
Copland’s Quiet City (26 September). In Connection, the
Academy performs Eleanor Alberga’s Nightscape, conducted by the
composer, alongside Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 ‘Gran Partita’ (21
November). The final concert will be a festive celebration (Friday 18
December).
Each performance will be filmed and the streams will go live on the
following Thursday at 7.30pm on a pay-to-view basis - they will be
available online for 30 days. The full line up of soloists and repertoire
will be announced in due course.
Alan Watt, Chief Executive, Academy of St Martin in the Fields says
: ‘
I am absolutely delighted that the orchestra and audiences can look
forward to regular live concerts in the autumn after such a long time
apart. How special to be returning to our namesake church, St.
Martin-in-the-Fields and for people to be able to hear live music again
within its walls. A lot has happened since we were last able to do this
and we want to both celebrate coming together again as well as honour
what a difficult time it has been for many.’
Andrew Earis, Director of Music at St. Martin-in-the-Fields says
: ‘
It is wonderful to be able to begin welcoming live audiences back to
St. Martin-in-the-Fields as we embark on our new vision for music at
the church. I’m so pleased that our friends at the Academy will play
such a large role in our Autumn season. After many long months of
silence, we’ve all felt the hole of not having live music making in our
lives and now it is time to enjoy it once again.
’
Requiem For Our Time
, Saturday 12 September
Pärt Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
Fauré Requiem (arr. Rutter)
Roderick Williams
baritone
Carolyn Sampson
soprano
Overcoming Distance,
Saturday 26 September
Bach Sarabande from
Suite No. 5
Messiaen Abîme des Oiseaux
MacMillan Horn Interlude from ‘
Since it was the day of Preparation’
Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
Copland
Quiet City
Mozart Symphony No. 29
Regeneration,
Saturday 10 October
Programme to be announced
Isolation & Friendship,
Saturday 24 October
Programme to be announced
Mourning & Hope,
Saturday 7 November
Programme to be announced
Connection,
Saturday 21 November
Eleanor Alberga
Nightscape
Mozart Serenade No. 10 ‘Gran Partita’
Awakening,
Saturday 5 December
Programme to be announced
Ryan Wigglesworth
A Christmas Celebration,
Friday 18 December
Programme to be announced
Tickets are available
here
.
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields and St. Martin-in-the-Fields
church are closely following government guidance and each concert will
adhere accordingly to the latest advice.
