Sunday May 10, 7pm (BST)
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet • Ian & Oliver Bostridge • Bertrand Chamayou
Colin Currie • Lise Davidsen • Sabine Devieilhe & Raphäel Pichon
James Ehnes • I Fagiolini • Vilde Frang • Sol Gabetta • Delphine Galou &
Ottavio Dantone • Sir James & Lady Jeanne Galway • Boris Giltburg
Pavel Haas Quartet • Stephen Hough • Víkingur Ólafsson
Jakub Józef Orliński & Aleksander Dębicz • Sir Antonio Pappano
Rachel Podger • Beatrice Rana • Sean Shibe
To support musicians whose work has dried up due to the Covid-19 crisis, and who are finding themselves in severe financial difficulty, Gramophone has organised an online gala featuring former Gramophone Classical Music Awards winners. Each artist will introduce and perform a short programme from his or her own home and viewers will be encouraged to donate to the charity Help Musicians.
James Jolly, Editor-in-Chief, Gramophone, explains: ‘Music is one of the most spiritually nourishing things humans can share, and when the musical world falls silent, we feel its loss. To ensure that music will play again when this crisis eases, we are encouraging music lovers to dig deep and help the musicians who enrich our lives day after day. We, at Gramophone, are enormously grateful for the wonderful generosity of these Award-winning artists who have given their time and talent to support our charity gala.’
James Ainscough, Chief Executive, Help Musicians, says: ‘Over the past six weeks Help Musicians has responded to the coronavirus crisis by making payments totalling £8.35m to nearly 16,700 professional musicians needing immediate financial help. This is just the beginning. There are a large number of musicians who will not be protected by government safety nets and will need our financial assistance over many months. There is also growing demand for the support we offer on health and mental wellbeing, building business skills and creative development. Music lovers, musicians and the music industry have already responded with generosity, but we still need to raise millions more in order to meet all needs fully. That is why we are so grateful to Gramophone and all the artists involved for supporting our vital work. Thank you – we cannot do it without you.’
Nine pianists, a percussionist, three violinists, two flautists, a string quartet, three singers, a cellist, a vocal ensemble and a guitarist guarantee that the programme will be varied and, as the artists have all chosen their own pieces, truly offered from the heart. In between the performances, some guest musicians – also former Award winners – will talk about music and encourage viewers to donate to this tremendously deserving cause.
You can watch the Gramophone Award Winners Lockdown Charity Gala on Gramophone’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information visit Gramophone’s website (gramophone.co.uk)