Morton Feldman
- Wigmore Hall launches new ensemble – ‘Wigmore Soloists’
- ‘Morton Feldman Day’ – celebration of pioneering American composer by London-based new music group Apartment House
- British tenor David Webb to perform Schubert’s Winterreise at the end of 300-mile cycling marathon from Cornwall to raise funds for mental health charities
- Leading international artists benefiting from quarantine exemption include Gautier Capuçon, Lise Davidsen, Christian Gerhaher, Pavel Haas Quartet, Hagen Quartet, Igor Levit, Mischa and Lily Maisky, Daniel Ottensamer, Sir András Schiff, Cédric Tiberghien
Wigmore Hall will stage 36 concerts in January 2021. Every concert, lasting 60–90 minutes in length with no interval, will be available for booking via ballot for Friends of Wigmore Hall. Audience capacity is set at 200 (~35% of full capacity) with every seat priced at £25. 15 of the concerts will be live streamed in high-definition video on Wigmore Hall’s website.
Friday 8 January marks the launch of the ‘Wigmore Soloists’ – a new Associate Ensemble fully funded by Wigmore Hall. Led by clarinettist Michael Collins and violinist Isabelle van Keulen, the Wigmore Soloists will see leading instrumentalists coming together to perform a wide range of chamber music repertoire from duets to works for up to 10 musicians. The ensemble makes its debut with Schubert’s Octet for clarinet, bassoon, horn, double bass and string quartet.
On 9 January, the London-based new music group Apartment House, another Associate Ensemble, takes over Wigmore Hall for a day-long celebration of American avant-garde composer Morton Feldman (1926–1987), a contemporary and close associate of John Cage, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns and Philip Guston. Over three concerts Apartment House will perform some of the most important and experimental works Feldman wrote for the solo violin, solo piano, string quartet and small ensembles.
On 29 January, 36-year-old British tenor David Webb will arrive at Wigmore Hall having cycled 300 miles from Cornwall on a ‘Winter Journey’ to raise funds for mental health charities MIND and Music Minds Matter. The marathon kicks off on ‘Blue Monday’ 18 January and will be punctuated by three performances of Schubert’s Winterreise at Truro Cathedral (17 January) and Exeter Cathedral (24 January) – finishing at Wigmore Hall where Webb will share the stage with fellow singers Alessandro Fisher, Rupert Charlesworth, Benedict Nelson, Jonathan Lemalu and pianist Iain Burnside.
David Webb said, ‘Schubert’s song cycle delves deeply into humankind’s propensity to feel, our emotional turmoil, grief, loss, depression and suicide with some of the most hauntingly beautiful music. Over the last few years I have been vocal about my own battles with mental health. This year, more than ever, we need to look out for each other in all aspects of life, and I hope that as a collective we can help make a difference by raising funds for these charities.’
John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall said, “The return of international artists, combined with our ‘Morton Feldman Day’ and the launch of Wigmore Soloists, are steady steps we are taking towards recovery. Meanwhile, in cold damp January, I hope David’s courageous project will bring comfort and solace, as well as urgently needed attention to the issue of mental health confronting so many people at this time.’
Wigmore Hall’s Spring Series has been underpinned by a lead gift from the AKO Foundation. We are grateful to all our donors for their generosity in supporting the series.