To date, Colin’s Column has reviewed the first two Wigmore recitals: Stephen Hough, then Lucy Crowe & Anna Tilbrook
RADIO STATIONS ACROSS EUROPE JOIN BBC RADIO 3 IN CELEBRATING RETURN OF LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC TO UK AIRWAVES BY BROADCASTING BBC RADIO 3’S WIGMORE HALL LIVE CONCERTS
European Broadcasting Union Radio Stations involved include:
Swedish Radio; RAI (Italy); NPO (The Netherlands); ORF (Austria); LRT (Lithuania); and more
Radio stations across Europe are joining BBC Radio 3 in celebrating the return of live music to UK airwaves, as they broadcast the station’s Lunchtime Concerts from London’s Wigmore Hall to audiences all over the continent. The first BBC Radio 3 broadcast recital from Wigmore Hall was given by British pianist Stephen Hough on Monday 1 June and Radio 3 shared the performance through the European Broadcasting Union in Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Lithuania, Denmark, and Poland, which are some of the countries who will also witness the concerts across the run. The recital today, Wednesday 3rd June, will be given by guitarist Sean Shibe, with other artists including Hyeyoon Park, Benjamin Grosvenor, Adam Walker and Roderick Williams performing to a live radio audience for the first time since lockdown.
Taking place every weekday in June, without an audience present and in respect of social distancing measures for all artists on stage and staff involved, the recitals are part of cross-platform BBC Culture in Quarantine initiative, bringing arts and culture to people’s homes during these uncertain times of isolation.
Alan Davey, BBC Radio 3 and Classical Music Controller, says: “We are thrilled that our friends across Europe are joining Radio 3 in celebrating the first glimpse of hope in a return to live music on our country’s stages. The message of music – and the support it gives to audiences all over the world in these difficult times deserves to be shared as widely as possible, and the wonderful artists involved in our Lockdown Live at London’s Wigmore Hall series are the best ambassadors to unite listeners across the continent, and to declare we are a country with a proud and vibrant classical music tradition.”
John Gilhooly, Artistic and Executive Director of Wigmore Hall, says: “It is a huge joy to work with BBC Radio 3. This series is meant to be a glimmer of hope for live music making and part of the beginning of the return to the platform of some of the greatest triumphs of human creativity and imagination. Musicians and audiences long for live music making again. Bit by bit we will get there with our public back in better times.
Graham Dixon, Head of radio, EBU says: “Musical performance is central to European public radio: this distinctive offer results from substantial investment in the music sector and massively increases the live music audience. We are delighted that BBC Radio 3 has revived concert-giving at the Wigmore Hall, sharing the events across Europe. This substantial series of live concerts from leading musicians gives EBU Members stations some attractive programming in difficult times.”
Pianist Stephen Hough says: “It was strange to look out from Wigmore Hall’s stage on Monday and see only empty seats. But then, I saw the BBC’s microphones, and Wigmore’s cameras on the wall, and I realised that thousands were joining us, from all parts of the globe: a huge family of music-lovers. In the few hours since the concert I’ve been utterly overwhelmed by hundreds of messages expressing total joy at the opportunity to hear live concerts again.”
All concerts will be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days: www.bbc.co.uk/radio3
Schedule of Radio 3 Lunchtime recitals and European broadcasts:
Monday 1 June – Pianist Stephen Hough
Sweden: Swedish Radio
Italy: RAI
Netherlands: NPO
Austria: ORF
Lithuania: LRT
Denmark: Danish Radio
Poland: Polish Radio (live)
Tuesday 2 June – Soprano Lucy Crowe and pianist Anna Tilbrook
Sweden: Swedish Radio
Italy: RAI
Netherlands: NPO
Lithuania: LRT
Denmark: Danish Radio
Poland: Polish Radio
Wednesday 3 June – Guitarist Sean Shibe
Sweden: Swedish Radio
Italy: RAI
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Thursday 4 June – Oboist Nicholas Daniel and pianist Julius Drake
Italy: RAI
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Friday 5 June – Pianists Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy
Italy: RAI
Netherlands: NPO
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Monday 8 June – Cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Mishka Rushdie
Poland: Polish Radio (live)
Tuesday 9 June – Violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor
Italy: RAI
Netherlands: NPO
Austria: ORF
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Wednesday 10 June – Pianist Paul Lewis
Sweden: Swedish Radio
Italy: RAI
Netherlands: NPO
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Thursday 11 June – Flautist Adam Walker and pianist James Baillie
Sweden: Swedish Radio
Italy: RAI
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio
Friday 12 June – Baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Joseph Middleton
Italy: RAI
Lithuania: LRT
Poland: Polish Radio