London Mozart Players go virtual, launching ‘At Home with LMP’ in response to the COVID-19 outbreak 

  • LMP launch new online video feed to keep audiences across the globe connected with music
  • Launching on Monday 23rd March, the portal will include exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and live performances from LMP musicians and associated artists
  • Craig Ogden will launch LMP’s ‘Saturday Sessions’ with a live broadcast of some much-loved classics from the guitar repertoire on Saturday 28th March via Facebook
  • Associated artists involved in the project also include Howard Shelley, Hilary Davan Wetton, Jess Gillam, Michael Collins and LMP’s Young Artist in Residence Laura van der Heijden
  • Donations made to the ‘At home with LMP’ campaign will be used to help compensate LMP musicians who now have no income due to concert cancellations

In the wake of venue closures and concert cancellations across the country due to the COVID-19 outbreak, London Mozart Players, the UKs longest established chamber orchestra, are launching ‘At home with LMP’ an initiative that will help keep audiences connected to music by going virtual. This dedicated web page will allow anyone to access and enjoy performances by LMP musicians and associated artists virtually from the comfort of their own home, ensuring that audiences can connect with the orchestra and experience the transformative power of classical music, even whilst self-isolating. Officially launching on Monday 23rd March, ‘At home with LMP’ will showcase the talent within this much-loved chamber ensemble by releasing a daily stream of pre-recorded and live performances, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes clips from LMP soloists, associates and musicians.

Viewers will have access to a whole catalogue of musical treats to keep the music playing through the pandemic. From ‘Mozart Mondays’ where LMP musicians and guest artists will unpack and explore a new work by Mozart each week, to ‘Saturday Sessions’ where exclusive solo performances will be live-broadcast by musicians who may be self-isolating, there will be no shortage of uplifting musical relief from this internationally renowned ensemble. Expect player-recommended playlists, a window into the LMP’s educational work and exclusive video contributions from associated soloists such as clarinettist Michael Collins and young stars Jess Gillam and Laura van der Heijden.

Launching the first of LMP’s ‘Saturday Sessions’ is acclaimed classical guitarist Craig Ogden, who LMP are due to perform with in two concerts this Spring. Live-streamed from Craig’s home via the LMP’s Facebook page on Saturday 28th March at 7pm, Craig will bring the sultry sounds of Spain right to your living room with a performance of the slow movement from Rodrigo’s beloved Concierto de Aranjuez. London Mozart Players and pianist Howard Shelley were also due to perform the last concert of their 2019/20 Piano Explored lunchtime series at St John’s Smith Square on Wednesday 1 April. With the temporary closure of St John’s Smith Square, the concert will no longer take place, so instead LMP will be broadcasting an illuminating introduction from Howard Shelley – filmed from his own home – which will unpack Franz Xaver Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in E flat in his usual charming fashion, with excerpts performed to camera. The broadcast is planned to go live via LMP’s Facebook page at 1.05pm on Wednesday 1 April.

LMP has long championed projects that bring classical music to every generation, and this initiative is no different. With recent government announcements that schools across the UK will be closed until further notice, LMP will be releasing family-friendly performances every Friday at 10.00am to cater for younger audiences who will now facing extended time at home with parents. Upcoming highlights include a narrated performance of ‘Ferdinand the Bull’ with principal cellist Sebastian Comberti and LMP leader Ruth Rogers.

As a charity with no core funding, the coming months of lockdown will have a huge impact on the orchestra and other arts organisations across the country. Freelance musicians and artists will struggle with no income sources for the foreseeable future. LMP’s initiative will work to combat some of the losses and help support its musicians through this difficult time. Viewers will be given the option to donate money towards the campaign so that the musicians involved are partially compensated for the loss of income they will inevitably face.

Julia Desbruslais, Executive Director of LMP commented:  

 ‘In this time of great uncertainty, it has never been more important to keep people connected through music. Whilst this is an extremely difficult and worrying time for all, it is vitally important that orchestras keep going; connecting communities, inspiring audiences, giving a platform to musicians and finding ways to support them through a period of financial instability. Moving our work onto a virtual platform allows us to keep making classical music accessible for all members of the community in this time of social distancing. We hope this will offer people an oasis of calm and a breath of fresh air in these surreal times. So, sit back, relax, enjoy the soothing sounds and let LMP bring the concert hall into your living room.’ 

SEE THE LATEST FROM ‘AT HOME WITH LMP’