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.
