All of us at LMP wish Sebastian Comberti a very fond farewell as he steps down as our Principal Cello in Summer 2025. Sebastian joined LMP as Principal Cello in 1983 and has played a crucial role in shaping who LMP are today.
“It’s no easy task summarising the impact Sebastian has had on LMP – not least because he has been an integral part of our orchestra for over 40 years. Sebastian’s involvement, ranging from his role as Principal Cello, contributing to our meaningful education work, programming our much loved Eastbourne residency and of course his important role on the LMP Board, is admirable and we are so grateful for his dedication. I speak for many when I say Sebastian will be much missed and we wish him the very best for the future.”
– Flynn Le Brocq, Chief Executive
“Sebastian has been an integral part of LMP for over four decades. He has been a source of inspiration to me with his musical integrity, his wealth of knowledge and experience as well as his inimitable honesty and charm. Sebastian played a vital role in steering the LMP out of murky waters and into the warmer seas it currently sails. He has curated many sensational Eastbourne programmes with informative, interesting and educational talks. I have loved playing chamber music with him and have learnt a huge amount from him. It is impossible to measure just how much he has given to LMP and the orchestra owes him a huge debt of gratitude. He will be deeply missed.”
– Ruth Rogers, Leader
“Sebastian is an LMP legend – in my mind he is synonymous with the orchestra. He has been principal cello for over 40 years, and brings his accumulated wisdom and experience to every concert, yet still arrives at rehearsals buzzing with new ideas, constantly searching out new repertoire and finding ways to refresh the old. It’s hard to imagine LMP without him!”
– Simon Blendis, Leader
“Sebastian is so full of knowledge and joy for the music he is performing, not to mention an utterly fearless cellist. It has been an amazing time being in a section with him these last 25 years. His enthusiasm for the cello, his thirst for discovering new repertoire and his stylistic awareness has been inspiring. Many good and happy memories. It is the end of an era!”
– Sarah Butcher, Cello
“Sebastian joined LMP about 40 years ago and as I was already member, I was delighted when this young, fresh and superb Cellist joined us. He then played consistently beautifully ever since. When the players took over running the orchestra in 2016, Sebastian became an invaluable member of the Board of Directors. His clear thinking, combined with his ability to offer thoughtful and often refreshing alternative perspectives, made a significant contribution to the group. Sebastian has also always been a very kind and caring person and will be missed hugely. Thank you for everything.”
– Peter Wright, Trumpet
Sebastian Comberti to leave LMP after 40 memorable years as Principal Cello
/in Blog, News /by Anna BennettAll of us at LMP wish Sebastian Comberti a very fond farewell as he steps down as our Principal Cello in Summer 2025. Sebastian joined LMP as Principal Cello in 1983 and has played a crucial role in shaping who LMP are today.
“It’s no easy task summarising the impact Sebastian has had on LMP – not least because he has been an integral part of our orchestra for over 40 years. Sebastian’s involvement, ranging from his role as Principal Cello, contributing to our meaningful education work, programming our much loved Eastbourne residency and of course his important role on the LMP Board, is admirable and we are so grateful for his dedication. I speak for many when I say Sebastian will be much missed and we wish him the very best for the future.”
– Flynn Le Brocq, Chief Executive
“Sebastian has been an integral part of LMP for over four decades. He has been a source of inspiration to me with his musical integrity, his wealth of knowledge and experience as well as his inimitable honesty and charm. Sebastian played a vital role in steering the LMP out of murky waters and into the warmer seas it currently sails. He has curated many sensational Eastbourne programmes with informative, interesting and educational talks. I have loved playing chamber music with him and have learnt a huge amount from him. It is impossible to measure just how much he has given to LMP and the orchestra owes him a huge debt of gratitude. He will be deeply missed.”
– Ruth Rogers, Leader
“Sebastian is an LMP legend – in my mind he is synonymous with the orchestra. He has been principal cello for over 40 years, and brings his accumulated wisdom and experience to every concert, yet still arrives at rehearsals buzzing with new ideas, constantly searching out new repertoire and finding ways to refresh the old. It’s hard to imagine LMP without him!”
– Simon Blendis, Leader
“Sebastian is so full of knowledge and joy for the music he is performing, not to mention an utterly fearless cellist. It has been an amazing time being in a section with him these last 25 years. His enthusiasm for the cello, his thirst for discovering new repertoire and his stylistic awareness has been inspiring. Many good and happy memories. It is the end of an era!”
– Sarah Butcher, Cello
“Sebastian joined LMP about 40 years ago and as I was already member, I was delighted when this young, fresh and superb Cellist joined us. He then played consistently beautifully ever since. When the players took over running the orchestra in 2016, Sebastian became an invaluable member of the Board of Directors. His clear thinking, combined with his ability to offer thoughtful and often refreshing alternative perspectives, made a significant contribution to the group. Sebastian has also always been a very kind and caring person and will be missed hugely. Thank you for everything.”
– Peter Wright, Trumpet
New Appointment – Jessica Coleman as Violin 1, No.3
/in Blog, News /by Anna BennettWe’re very excited to announce that Jessica Coleman has been appointed as LMP Violin 1, No.3.
Born in Aberdeen, Jessica was fortunate enough to grow up in a musical household. Her first orchestra tour was to China when she was 9 years old, and it would seem she never looked back! Now, Jessica enjoys performing and touring with groups such as London Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra.
After attending Chetham’s School of Music, Jessica spent some time in Oslo studying with Stephan Barratt-Due, then went on to complete her undergraduate degree at the Royal College of Music with teachers Detlef Hahn and Gaby Lester. Whilst at RCM, Jessica formed a successful string quartet with friends. The quartet performed together for five years at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Conway Hall and the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall.
Jessica feels her passions for both orchestral playing and chamber music come together in her work at LMP, and she is delighted to continue her journey with us.
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/in Galleries, News /by Anna BennettWe’re very excited to announce that Christine Anderson has been appointed as LMP Viola No.2.
Glaswegian violist Christine joined the viola section of the Hallé Orchestra in 2015, shortly after graduating from the Royal College of Music, where she studied with Simon Rowland Jones. Last year, she moved to London, where she enjoys a varied freelance career as an orchestral and chamber musician. Her orchestral work includes performing with Aurora Orchestra, the Philharmonia, and the RPO. She recently joined the Gildas Quartet, and also regularly plays with ground-breaking chamber ensembles such as Manchester Collective, Twelve Ensemble, the United Strings of Europe, and Her Ensemble. Christine is passionate about the importance of the classical music world being a place where everybody can feel included and represented.
Christine plays on a beautiful English viola, made by David Milward in 2011.
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/in Galleries, News /by Anna BennettNew appointment – Antonia Kesel as Principal Second Violin
/in News /by Anna BennettWe’re very excited to announce that Antonia Kesel has been appointed as LMP Principal Second Violin.
Antonia graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a First Class honours degree in 2015 having studied with International Soloist, Jack Liebeck for 4 years. Since her graduation, she has been a chamber music fellow at the Royal Academy of Music and has won many prizes as a chamber musician, including the St Martin-in-the Fields chamber music competition and the Malta International Music Competition.
Antonia enjoys working in the West End as a member of the band at Phantom of the Opera as well as being a freelance Violinist in London playing for commercial recording sessions and for orchestras such as the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Royal Opera House and Britten Sinfonia.
Antonia plays on a Francois Fent violin from Paris, circa 1780.
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A chat with Isata Kanneh-Mason and Jonathan Bloxham
/in Blog, Galleries, News /by Jessica PengBeethoven and Mendelssohn with Isata Kanneh-Mason at St John’s Smith Square
Friday 3 November 2023
Isata Kanneh-Mason piano
Jonathan Bloxham conductor
Ruth Rogers leader
London Mozart Players (LMP)
Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memorium Benjamin Britten
Anna Clyne Stride
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1
Beethoven Symphony No.5
Before our concert together at St John’s Smith Square, we sat down with our soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason and conductor Jonathan Bloxham to talk about the concert, the music, and pre-concert rituals…
Isata Kanneh-Mason
It’s the opening. It’s so dramatic and exciting and I like the way the piano states its presence. Actually I also have another moment in the second movement where the piano is playing slow chords and there is a solo cello line – the harmonies there are so incredibly beautiful.
It’s really lovely to perform this piece with the same group of people. I feel I have developed as a musician over the last two years so it will be nice to be able to bring something different to the performance.
I try not to stick to a specific pre-concert ritual in case I don’t have time. I always make sure I stretch, warm up my fingers and drink water. I don’t tend to eat too much before going on stage as I don’t want to feel full. And I also put away my phone quite a while before a performance as well, so there are no distractions!
Jonathan Bloxham
Programming is one of the great joys of my work as a conductor, and devising each programme comes with its own intellectual or emotional journey. The inspiration for this concert began with Mendelssohn. Not only a prodigious composer, he was also a virtuosic pianist, and as a young boy he discovered and formed a deep appreciation of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. From then on Beethoven’s music had a huge influence on his own compositions, and Mendelssohn continued to perform the master’s works throughout his life. In 1847, the year of his death, he took his final visit to Britain and performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. This ties in themes of London, Mendelssohn, the piano and Beethoven. Taking the second two of these we arrive at Anna Clyne’s wonderful piece – Stride – a piece for strings based on the themes from Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata. And finally, our opening piece, Pärt’s Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten is not only one of the most atmospheric openings of a concert, but it is also a little nod to the 110th Anniversary of Britten’s birth. This is a programme I adore.
It is of course an iconic work to play as well as conduct! Even just the opening is an infamously treacherous moment for us all. But what an honour it is to have the chance to perform this majestic piece with LMP. For me personally, it was in the second half of the very first symphonic concert I conducted as a student and so brings back many memories. This piece has taught me a great deal about the craft of conducting.
Every player in the LMP is a fantastic chamber musician. And every time they perform, be it with or without a conductor, they are making chamber music. And so it is no different when a soloist joins. As a conductor in this scenario I feel my role is to help focus all our listening, to facilitate the connection between soloist and orchestra and to be a conduit for the flow of ideas between them…and adding a few of my own now and then too!
LMP, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, play Beethoven and Mendelssohn with Isata Kanneh-Mason on 3 November 2023. Tickets can be purchased here.
Beethoven and Mendelssohn
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