In November of this year, The London Mozart Players launched its year-long residency in Hastings at the Opus Theatre in a concert that celebrated young talent, performing with pianist and BBC Young Musician winner (2018) Lauren Zhang, and gifted local flautist Daisy Noton. ‘Celebrating Strings’, the second concert in the LMP by the Sea series at St Mary in the Castle on Friday 7 February, is a musical showcase that will pay homage to the string section of the orchestra, whilst also embracing and nurturing over 100 young instrumentalists from Hastings Music Centre with a collaborative side-by-side performance of Jeff Moore’s ‘Fiddler’s Hill’.

With a programme spanning the centuries, from classical and baroque to works inspired by folk and jazz, LMP will perform a masterful collection of musical gems that showcase the versatility and range of expression possible with solely stringed instruments. Mozart’s Divertimento in D major begins the programme, a remarkable piece that embodies Mozart’s mastery over conventional forms. Piazzolla’s popular tangos Oblivion & Libertango will bring a South American flavour to the performance, borrowing from classical, jazz, and Latin traditions. Bach’s Air on a G string is then bookended by two 20th century favourites – Britten’s Simple Symphony, a piece based on material from works which the composer wrote between the age of nine and twelve, and Holst’s charming St. Paul’s Suite, who, like many of his British contemporaries, took inspiration from British folk music.

In a spirited and thrilling finale, LMP will then be joined on stage by over a hundred young instrumentalists from the Hastings Music Centre to perform ‘Fiddler’s Hill’, a piece by LMP’s Collaborative Composer in Association, Jeff Moore. This side-by-side piece, composed for string players of all standards, gives a unique platform for professionals and young musicians to play together on stage, and has been performed across the world. Inspired by folk music, this energetic composition expresses the dynamic range of a full orchestra whilst giving young local musicians the unique opportunity to experience the joy of world-class performance first-hand.