Roxanna’s email is published with her agreement.
“Dear Colin
I am delighted to tell you about 2 virtual premieres, very soon. They are both in aid of charities that can help musicians and their working environments to get through this time of horrendous uncertainty, so that they can help our hearts, souls and ears to heal in the wake of this crisis.
I have put donation details but there is no obligation to donate – I expect you, like me, have been inundated with requests. However, if you were able to give them a shout-out somewhere (or even review the Sacconi concert), please, we’d be very grateful!
Heartfelt ~ Monday 20th July, 2020 ~ 7:30pm (GMT+1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdvu19OnqJA A short concert with the wonderful Sacconi Quartet and stellar baritone Roderick Williams, during which you will hear the world premiere of my new string quartet Heartfelt which takes its inspiration from an 18th century Uzbek court musician’s pulse rate and a Bulgarian dancing bear’s heartbeat. Also, the dramatic story of WWI soldier Private Joe, sung hauntingly by Roddy. As well as two smaller pieces – the Ashkenazi-inspired viola solo Canto and Eastern European gypsy-themed Hora Bessarabia, for violin and double bass (Andrew Marshall).
Donations (https://www.paypal.me/sacconiquartet) will go to the Royal Society of Musicians. The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain’s oldest music charity, providing vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work – especially due to the current Covid pandemic.
Let All the World ~ Tuesday 28th July, 2020 ~ 6:30pm (GMT+1) https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scholarsevensong
The amazing Choral Scholars of South West England’s finest cathedrals have got together to put on a virtual evensong – Paul Mealor and I have been commissioned especially to write the Introit and Anthem (respectively). In between you will hear music by Dupré, Franck and Whitlock amongst others. Readings by Katie Derham and Alexander Armstrong.
Donations will go to the Cathedral Choirs Emergency Fund. Three months of no weekly collection plate or tourist revenue has left even our most famous cathedrals staggering and with their music departments in jeopardy. Our 500 year-old church music tradition must be saved.
Hope you’re keeping well – all very best,
Roxanna”