With very few live musical performances taking place in concert hall around the globe at the present time, it's heartening to report that one person has taken the initiative and will produce a concert featuring world class brass talent.
Free livestream
The free livestream will take place at the wonderful Great Hall of the famous Mechanics Hall located in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sunday 7th June (9.00pm Central European Time), to raise funds for Covid-19 relief and is the brainchild of Patrick Smith.
All profits from donations go to the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund www.macovid19relieffund.org and Partners in Health www.pih.org
Hope
He told 4BR: "Like everyone else on the planet, my 'best-laid plans' are overtaken by events. But the flexibility and enthusiasm of the soloists — Christopher Martin, principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Toby Oft, principal trombone Boston Symphony Orchestra — has given me hope.
He added: "The selected music sends solace from Worcester to the world in these troubled times."
The Great Hall of Mechanics Hall is regarded as one of America's great acoustical masterpieces and is usually packed full with up to 1500 music lovers for concerts by world class musicians and ensemble.
The selected music sends solace from Worcester to the world in these troubled timesPatrick Smith
Fewer than 20 people
On this occasion there will be fewer than 20 people in attendance to make sure everything goes smoothly Patrick said. "My current plan requires the two soloists, an organist, pianist, two harpists, and a support and technical crew — oh — and myself!"
Music to be featured will include 'Beau Soir' (Beautiful Evening) by Claude Debussy (arr. by Stephen Bulla for euphonium and two harps). It will be accompanied by Massachusetts native Haden McKay, a cellist in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra now residing in Canada, who will remotely recite the poem (in French and English) by Paul Bourget that inspired this composition.
Livestream
The livestream from an empty Mechanics Hall is Sunday, June 7th, (3.00pm Eastern Time/9.00pm Central European Time)
