LMP free concert at St Pancras 25 September @ 3.30pm

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If you are in London on the afternoon of Tuesday 25th September then do come along to St Pancras International Station at 3.30pm where London Mozart Players will be giving a FREE concert near the Eurostar Departure zone. We’ll be celebrating St Pancras’s 150th and the LMP’s 70th birthdays with a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto 21 in C K.467, with our Conductor Laureate Howard Shelley playing the station’s ‘Elton John’ Yamaha piano alongside the orchestra.

This is a joint promotion with Classic FM who will be livesteaming on their Facebook page.

Launch of LMP’s 70th anniversary series

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The LMP has launched it’s 70th anniversary year with a wonderful concert at its home in Upper Norwood, the church of St John the Evangelist, featuring the UK debut of acclaimed young violinist Radu Kis. This is the first concert in a packed 2018/19 season that will see the UK’s longest established orchestra perform in some of London’s most prestigious concert halls such as St John’s Smith Square, the Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and Cadogan Hall. The LMP will also perform at a gala concert in June to mark the re-opening of Croydon’s Fairfield Halls.  The orchestra will also perform a season at SJUN in Upper Norwood, and appear in concert halls and some  unusual venues around the country and abroad. All the concerts can be seen on the  70th Birthday page.

To mark the 70th birthday, the LMP will be using a brand new logo for the season.

LMP receive new ACE Catalyst grant

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We are thrilled to announce that London Mozart Players (LMP) is the recipient of a Catalyst small grant from the Arts Council of England (ACE); these grants are designed to help create a more sustainable and resilient art and culture sector. This is the second grant LMP has had from ACE in the last 18 months and shows our strengthening relationship with this important funding body. This most recent grant will enable LMP to become more financially secure and widen the orchestra’s income streams.

LMP will be using the grant in three ways:

  • To help develop and promote our new Podium leadership and training programme for businesses.
  • To help create an annual fundraising event during our 70th birthday year in 2019 featuring LMP alumni and ambassadors including Simon Callow and Jane Glover.
  • To recruit new members to our Development Group – a group of committed supporters from the business community who act as ambassadors for LMP, recruiting new patrons, donors and businesses.

More information on the grants here.

 

LMP reinvents itself ‘triumphantly’

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After a wonderful night of music at St John’s Smith Square, with Nicola Benedetti and Leonard Elschenbroich on top form in a thrilling and visceral programme of Beethoven and Brahms, it was gratifying to read Ivan Hewett’s review in the Telegraph which opened with a couple of paragraphs on how the LMP had managed to successfully reinvent itself, while remaining true to its roots as custodians of excellence in classical music.

You can read the review here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/best-top-classical-concerts-january-2018-review/

Neville Osrin appointed new Chairman of London Mozart Players Orchestra Ltd

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We are delighted to confirm the appointment of business psychologist and consultant Neville Osrin as the new Chairman of London Mozart Players Orchestra Ltd (LMP) with effect from 1st January 2018. He takes over from Paul Archibald who is stepping down after three years in the role, whilst remaining on the board.

Paul, who has has done a brilliant job over the last three years, commented: ‘I feel that now is an excellent time to bring in some new ideas that will take the orchestra forward over the coming years. I have been proud to be part of the team that has overseen the transition of the London Mozart Players to a player-governed orchestra. The orchestra has a history of 70 years of high quality music-making and I believe Neville is the right person to guide the next stage of LMP’s exciting journey. The orchestra is a dynamic organisation and I look forward to continuing to play my part as a Director of the Board of LMP and Principal Trumpet.’

The appointment comes as we look forward to celebrating our 70th birthday in 2019, and cements a relationship with Mr Osrin who, as a member of the LMP Development Group, has been instrumental in guiding the LMP’s recent initiative in the development of ‘Podium’ – an interactive leadership programme designed to help businesses achieve greater levels of performance through the example of an orchestra’s teamwork and leadership model. Launched in December 2017, Podium fuses the thrill of live music-making with dynamic and insightful analysis of leadership issues.

Neville Osrin commented: ‘Being invited to serve as Chairman the Board of one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras is both an honour and an immense privilege. In a national and international musical landscape populated by many fine orchestras, the London Mozart Players occupy a near-unique position. It’s performances and many recordings demonstrate the extraordinary and consistent quality of its virtuosity and interpretative strengths. It is directed largely by its leader rather than a conductor, and the players themselves fill key managerial and Board roles. Their outreach programmes, community involvement, commissioning of new works and numerous innovative initiatives reveal an ensemble whose accomplishments are truly beyond the ordinary.

I look forward with great pleasure to working with the Board in meeting the many challenges facing those in the arts; enabling the LMP to thrive, while continuing to amaze and delight audiences with their peerless performances.’

Martin Grainger, sub-principal horn for the LMP since 2014, has also been appointed to the Board of Directors for London Mozart Players Orchestra Ltd.

 

LMP Christmas Treble 2017 Audition Sign up

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The London Mozart Players are inviting young trebles, both male and female from the borough of Croydon to audition to perform Howard Blake’s ‘Walking in the Air’ and the opening unaccompanied verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. The winning treble will perform in the LMP’s Christmas concert at St John’s Upper Norwood on 15th December.

All applicants will be auditioned by a panel from the LMP and Adrian Adams, Director of Music at St John’s Upper Norwood. These will take place at St John the Evangelist, Sylvan Road during the week of 27th November. Applicants should prepare ‘Walking in the Air’ from the Snowman and the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Piano accompaniment will be available.

If you require a copy of either ‘Walking in the Air’ or ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ please contact the Operations Manager, [email protected]

Please send applicant’s details: Full Name/Age/School/Contact Email & Name
• by email to Jenny Brady ([email protected]); or
• by post to LMP at St John’s, St John the Evangelist, Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood London SE19 2RX

And please also indicate which days you would be available for audition:
Wednesday 29th November 4pm-6pm
Thursday 30th November 4pm-6pm

Deadline for application is Wednesday 22nd November 2017 and audition times will be confirmed by Friday 24th November. Please contact Jenny Brady [email protected] or 020 8686 1996 for any enquiries.

LMP on the Move Concert Series wins at Croydon Business Awards

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We’re thrilled and delighted to have been awarded the Cultural Impact Award at Croydon Business Excellence Awards for our ‘LMP on the Move’ series. This new award, sponsored by the Rise Gallery, reflects our commitment to widen audiences for classical music – particularly among young people and non-traditional classical audiences.

Through the LMP on the Move series we have been able to develop new partnerships and discover new venues for classical music in Croydon and this has enabled us to reinvigorate awareness of the LMP within Croydon (while the Fairfield Halls undergoes a facelift) and attract an audience that really reflects all the borough’s communities.

We have been on an amazing journey, met and played with some fantastic young musicians and even surprised ourselves with the diversity of venues, audience and music. This award really is the icing on the cake. Huge thanks to our partners and collaborators and of course to our supporters and audiences!

Arts Council England | Croydon Council | Regent Land & Development | Centronic | Croydon Music & Arts | Coulsdon College | St Nicholas School | Matthews Yard | Rooftop Cinema/Lost Format Society | Croydon Libraries | Boxpark Croydon | St John’s, Upper Norwood | Fiona Brice | Ben Palmer | Paul Patterson | Rebecca Kenny| Sheku Kanneh-Mason | Shift K3Y

Celebrating the launch of Compassionate Neighbours in South East London

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Join us on Saturday 21 October 1.30-3.30pm at Christ Church Gipsy Hill, 1 Highland Road SE19 1DP for an celebratory afternoon consisting of:

• Afternoon tea
• Art activities and exhibition
• Live music including the London Mozart Players

It’s FREE – everyone’s welcome!
What is Compassionate Neighbours? It’s a growing network of trained volunteers offering their time, companionship and support to people around them living with a chronic or terminal illness or experiencing loneliness or social isolation. For more information contact Steph Turner, Community Participation Lead, at [email protected] or 07867 556472.

Join us in the evening as well for our launch concert at St John’s in association with St Christopher’s Hospice and Compassionate Neighbours.

New Release! Mozart Requiem on Convivium Records

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Our brand new recording of Mozart’s Requiem with Malcolm Archer and Winchester College Chapel Choir has been released today! Recorded back in Summer 2016 in Winchester College’s stunning New Hall, we’re delighted with the final product, and sure you will be impressed too.

 

‘A cornerstone of choral repertoire, Mozart’s Requiem has been performed and recorded by many leading artists. This performance conducted by Malcolm Archer with Winchester College Chapel Choir, London Mozart Players, and soloists Sarah Fox, Diana Moore, John Mark Ainsley & Ashley Riches delivers a compelling performance: combining the thrilling clarity of Winchester College choir, a star studded line up of soloists and the integrity of the countries longest established orchestra in Süssmayr’s completion of the work.’

 

Anthem for Peace: Crowdfunder reaches 80%

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A new Piano Explored Series at St John’s Smith Square

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We’re absolutely delighted to be returning to St John’s Smith Square alongside Howard Shelley for a new 5 concert lunchtime series, Piano Explored. For 17/18, audiences will uncover the anguish of Shostakovich, reminisce on a classic love story that spiralled Schumann to global success, delve into the grandeur of Mendelssohn, whisk through Saint-Saens’ rollercoaster-esque creative process and dive into the explosive mind of Grieg.

Described by International Piano as “The best lunch-break you’ve ever had,” this popular series will see a host of symphonic performances, accompanied as ever by Howard’s humorous and intriguing introductions, all within a lunchtime concert in the beautiful surroundings of St John’s Smith Square.

Designed for everyone from city workers and resident Londoners to holiday-makers day-trippers, London Mozart Players’ Piano Explored is the perfect addition to your lunch-time.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Click on the dates below to book your tickets.

Tickets: £15 (students £5)

Wednesday 4th October 2017 – 1.05pm
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16

Wednesday 1st November 2017 – 1.05pm
SCHUMANN Piano Concerto A minor Op.54

Wednesday 6th December 2017 – 1.05pm
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No.2 in F, Op.102

Wednesday 7th February 2018 – 1.05pm
MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.25

Wednesday 7th March 2018 – 1.05pm
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, Op.22

 

Box Office: 020 7222 1061 | St John’s Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HA
Booking fees: £2.75 telephone / £1.75 online

 

10 things you might not know about Roald Dahl…

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In preparation for our special family concert performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ on Sunday 18 June for the Crystal Palace Overground Festival, I thought I’d put together this little list of facts about Roald Dahl that you might not know!

Along with my trusty young ambassador Sarah Posner – and a little help from www.roalddahl.com! – we came up with this smashing list unveiling the fascinating man behind some of the world’s most loved children’s books.

At a first glance it would seem that Roald Dahl was just a big kid at heart, as this is prevalent throughout his writing. What also permeates his work is a perpetual sense of wonder, adventure, and at times peril, and this can only be drawn from his eventful and exciting life!

Did you know…?

1. Roald Dahl was an RAF fighter pilot in World War II – he earned himself the nickname ‘Lofty’, due to his height (he was well over 6 ft, which was unusual for a pilot)

2. His lexical talents also extended to writing screenplays – such features include ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and the James Bond classic, ‘You Only Live Twice’

3. He wrote all his children’s stories in a small hut in the bottom of his garden – everyone needs a space for their imagination to run wild!

4. Roald Dahl was a chocolate taster at school – Dahl attended Repton boarding school, where this prominent memory inspired the tale of Charlie Bucket and Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

5. Roald Dahl was a medical innovator – he contributed significantly to the invention of the modern ventricular catheter

6. He published a cookbook with his second wife Liccy (Felicity) – not limited to fictional tales, Dahl and his wife also put together a book of beloved recipes gathered across their years together

7. He invented more than 250 words and character names – Such treasures include scrumdiddlyumptious and frizzlecrump, and there is even an Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary! Take that GCSE English!

8. Dahl often based his characters on people he knew himself – For example, the grandma in The Witches was based on his mother, Sofie. I’d hate to think who the Twits were based on…

9. The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery was opened at the Buckinghamshire County Museum in 1996 – full of hands on experiences and activities, there is much to discover here

10. Roald Dahl was a spy! – During WWII he passed intelligence to MI6 from Washington

Many who are familiar with Dahl’s literary works will note his use of dark humour and regular plotlines of children overcoming great adversaries, often at the hands of adults. In his championing of youth, the power of imagination and creativity, his stories have endured for decades and will continue to delight parents and children alike for many generations to come.

LMP are delighted to be part of this legacy, through Paul Patterson’s musical account of Roald Dahl’s retelling of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Told with wit and the unpatronizing humour characteristic of its author, and the forces of a wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon & horn), piano and narrator, this lively and tuneful rendition of the fairy tale classic will appeal to all the family.

By Jenny Brady

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Jenny Brady is the Creative Learning & Participation Manager at London Mozart Players.

You can buy tickets for LMP’s performance of Little Red Riding Hood via this link.

Inaugural #LMPOnTheMove launches in Croydon

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London Mozart Players are delighted  to announce the launch of their new tour series #LMPOnTheMove, running May-July 2017.

Featuring 5 specially-curated musical experiences, the ensemble aims to take orchestral-music making to new audiences across the South London community, and in the process reach people of all ages, backgrounds and musical interests. The series includes some of the biggest collaborators across chart, electronic and classical music, including multi-platinum selling recording artist & DJ Shift K3y and BBC Young Musician 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

o The orchestra kicks off their tour with Placebo & Kanye West collaborator FIONA BRICE at Matthews Yard on Friday 19 May, performing the world premiere of her new string work ‘Relationships’, as well as music from Shostakovich & Piazzolla

o The following day (Saturday 20 May) sees a collaboration with Lost Format Society – Croydon’s only rooftop cinema and bar experience – to perform Charlie Chaplin’s Academy-Award® nominated score for silent comedy The Gold Rush, live to picture

o Half-term brings an opportunity to enjoy a performance of Paul Patterson’s arrangement of Roald Dahl’s ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ with your family, narrated by Rebecca Kenny and performed at Croydon’s Central Children’s Library. There will be an arts and crafts workshop running an hour before each performance, which will take place at 10:45am and 2:45pm

o BBC Young Musician 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto with the orchestra in the highlight of a weekend takeover for Crystal Palace Overground Festival at our home at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood

Their new, dynamic tour series sees the orchestra adopt an exciting mixed-funding model which includes funding from Arts Council England – our first award from the national body in four years – and Croydon Council, as well as a host of financial and in-kind support from local companies. Ever conscious of the need for a broad range of income streams, the ensemble has developed relationships with many of the established businesses in the area including developer Regent Land – a leading member of Develop Croydon, a CIC forum promoting the regeneration of the area – and 70 year old electronics manufacturer Centronic employ over 120 people across Croydon.

The orchestra’s reputation for adventurous, ambitious programming is alive and kicking with five distinctive programmes of music. Genre-crossing composer and violinist Fiona Brice DJs the tour’s opening night in a vibrant programme spanning Shostakovich, Piazzolla and her new experimental orchestral work ‘Relationships’. The following night the ensemble is joined by conductor Ben Palmer, as they take to Centrale Shopping Centre’s rooftop car park to perform Charlie Chaplin’s Academy Award®-nominated score for his silent comedy The Gold Rush; the sunset screening is one of the Lost Format Society’s highlights of their annual rooftop cinema and bar experience.

We have definitely made sure there’s something for all age groups; June kicks off with two performances of Paul Patterson’s musical arrangement of Roald Dahl’s ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ which makes for a must-see for families during the half term; the orchestra’s partnership with Carillion and Croydon’s Central Library includes a pre-performance arts and crafts workshop where the children can make their own masks for the story, whilst the set design has been facilitated by the local St. Nicholas’ School for special education needs.

The same month, the orchestra presents a musical takeover at their home in Upper Norwood as part of the 2017 Crystal Palace Overground Festival, including a special one-off performance by BBC Young Musician 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who will play Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C, with London Mozart Players also playing side by side with musicians from the local Music Education Hub Croydon Music & Arts in a performance of Shostakovich’s ‘Chamber Symphony’.

The orchestra’s tour culminates with a collaboration with multi-platinum selling recording artist Shift K3y, who headlines a fusion night of electronic, indie and classical music at Croydon’s new 2,000 capacity Box Park. The producer will play brand new material alongside the ensemble, which will also perform with resident producer GRADES and emerging South London talent George Cosby.

Julia Desbruslais, Executive Director of the orchestra, said:

“London Mozart Players are thrilled to be delivering our new exciting series #LMPOnTheMove. We hope these collaborative performances in exciting, diverse venues will appeal to audiences of all ages and experiences, taking place right on the doorsteps of residents, within our home of the Borough of Croydon. These flagship events will go towards putting Croydon on the map artistically as a creative and innovative hub of musical and artistic excellence.”

Paula Murray, Croydon Council’s Cultural Director, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting this excellent new series by London Mozart Players, taking classical music to audiences and venues across the borough. With Fairfield Halls closed for its refurbishment, it’s vital that we continue to support fantastic cultural initiatives like this one, as well as developing unforgettable collaborations with world-class musical talent from other genres. On the Move both physically and artistically!”

#LMPOnTheMove runs May – July, starting at Matthews Yard on 19th May with Fiona Brice. Tickets are available on Eventbrite now here.

David Angel (1954-2017)

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The London Mozart Players is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of David Angel, our beloved colleague and friend, co-principal 2nd violinist with the LMP for the past 22 years.

He will be remembered for his enthusiasm, energy, musical integrity, consummate musical knowledge, all mixed up with a wonderful sense of humour that could lift any situation. All who came into contact with David were touched by his gentleness, generosity and humility as a human being. He is a massive loss to the world of classical music and 100% irreplaceable as a musician and personality within the LMP.

He will be sadly missed, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. David’s family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Society.

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David Angel was a founder pupil of the Yehudi Menuhin School, where he studied with Yehudi Menuhin, Frederick Grinke, Jacqueline Salomons and Nadia Boulanger. In 1971 he won an Associated Board Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, continuing his studies with Frederick Grinke and receiving chamber music coaching from Sidney Griller, winning prizes for both solo and chamber music. He was a co-founder of the Maggini Quartet in 1988.

David’s solo playing received great acclaim, winning high praise in The Times for performances of Bach’s Chaconne and E major Concerto with the London Contemporary Dance, and in the Financial Times in 1988 for a performance at the Almeida Festival. He played Autumn from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on many occasions, notably at the Barbican with the London Mozart Players, and was a soloist with London Musici.

Co-principal of the second violin section of the London Mozart Players, he led the second violins of many top London chamber orchestras, including the London Chamber Orchestra, London Musici, Orchestra of St. John’s and Sinfonia 21.

David was an ARAM and in demand as a teacher and chamber music coach; in autumn 1993 he was appointed Professor of quartet playing at Birmingham Conservatoire, and he was also an Honorary Fellow of Canterbury Christ Church University College and Brunel University.

Bach: Mass in B Minor — Review

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Bach to Baby & LMP return with Beethoven, Brahms & Bach!

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