Lockdown Listening
As we continue our way through Lockdown 3.0, music has an important role to play during these uncertain times. This includes our programme of Live Streams, set to transport you around the world through music and composers.
In our brand new blog series, we’ll be speaking to our upcoming performers and partners to find out what they’ve been listening to, and we’ll be asking them to each nominate a piece of music or performance which speaks to them at this particular time.
We asked the the team at the Manchester Chamber Concerts Society about the music that’s been getting them through the pandemic…
What music are you listening to during lockdown?
During lockdown I’ve been listening to the BBC Philharmonic’s Schubertiade, and streaming music festivals from at home and abroad including chamber music from the Verbier Festival and Martin Roscoe’s Advent concert with the amazing young contralto, Jess Dandy from St John’s Smith Square.
Can you nominate a piece of music which speaks to you during this time?
One of the pieces I’d have to nominate is Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony No.7. This particular piece represents the resilience and eventual triumph of the people of Leningrad (now St Petersburg), over the dark forces confronting them during the wartime siege. Before lockdown I visited St. Petersburg and saw this performed by the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yuri Termikanov, which was very moving.
Are there any pieces that you are most looking forward to hearing in Martin’s performance on Tuesday 9 February?
I’m really looking forward to watching Martin perform Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor Op.57 “Appassionata”.
Having missed out on so many concerts for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, including the Hanover Band performing Beethoven’s Septet at The Stoller Hall, it will be great to hear a live performance of Beethoven by Martin Roscoe, who is the Artistic Director of Manchester Chamber Concerts Society (MCCS) and a wonderful exponent of Beethoven. He will also be opening the next MCCS season in October 2021 with the chamber music version of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 with I Musicanti.
You can book tickets here for Martin Roscoe’s solo recital on Tuesday 9 February – 100% of ticket sales from this concert will go towards Help Musicians
