the performers:
City of London Sinfonia
the programme:
The programme is as yet unannounced.
Since August the City of London Sinfonia have been providing a free classical twist to your Wednesday, courtesy of their Lunchtime Classicals in Canary Wharf. As the weather closes in for winter, this event will be the last one in the series - head over to get your final fix of outdoor pop-ups for the year.
The ensemble recently performed Bach’s Goldberg Variations arranged for string trio
about the music:
We don’t know what the programme will be, so whilst we can’t talk about specific pieces, we’ve picked two contrasting string trios to give you an idea of what to expect.
In this concert, the string trio will be made up of a violin, a viola and a cello.
Broadly speaking, most earlier string trios consist of two violins + cello, with the configuration of violin, viola + cello becoming more of a thing towards the end of the 18th century. The first composer to use this combination was Joseph Haydn, so let’s start with one of his.
Here’s one of Haydn’s best trios, Opus 53, Number 1. As with most chamber music of the time, it’s mostly one instrument playing the melody whilst the other two accompany.
As the piece goes on, however, the accompanying instruments embellish the start and ends of phrases. For example, compare the tune at the beginning here to when it comes back at 6.54 in this recording from Trio Arkel.
Next, we’re going to fast forward 150 years to a string trio by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály. Listen to this recording by the Domus Trio and hear how the instruments are now more free and conversational. Melodies are passed around from instrument to instrument without distinct, bookmarked phrases.
Even when an instrument is playing the melody, like the cello at the beginning, the accompanying instruments are more free in how they support the melody. They continue after the melody ends, with fun little figures, for example.
String trios in general are really exciting to listen to, we think - it’s laid bare how the instruments interact with each other musically, and it’s really exciting watching amazing players perform and realise those conversations. Enjoy!
about the performers:
The City of London Sinfonia bring a distinctive, ‘seriously informal’ style to everything they do, breaking down the barriers between their musicians and audiences.
The string trio will include Kathy Shave (violin) + Katie Heller (viola) + Will Schofield (cello)
the venue:
Jubilee Park is a little leafy oasis in the heart of Canary Wharf - you can see in the picture above that, from some angles, you can just about pretend you’re not bang in the Central London financial centre surrounded by glass-clad skyscrapers.
Luckily, that’s where this event will be taking place - with handy painted circles on the grass to ensure proper social distancing.
The park is located just above Jubilee Place shopping mall, so you can pick up a picnic from one of their stores or nip down to Wharf Kitchen for a delicious takeaway lunch to enjoy throughout the concert.
This event isn’t ticketed, so space is available on a first come, first served basis. If audience capacity is reached, the space may need to be closed off so that it remains safe - make sure to get down early!
the price:
FREE (no ticket required)