We’ve just had a tip-off about this great pop-up performance in Beckenham Place Park. The concert will launch Classical PopUps’ P£RFORM series, part of a campaign to put on great events in the community and help out musicians in the process.

"The essence of Classical PopUps is short, snappy, awesome chamber music concerts with a twist; the twist being either a quirky venue, an unusual setting, funky repertoire, an unconventional line up of players or a surprising collaboration!" - Sali-Wyn Ryan, founder & director

the music

Classical PopUps’ concerts are always unique, and this one’s no exception. It’ll feature an unusual line-up: a string trio, trombone, trumpet and percussion.

This combination is so rare that all of the music has been specially arranged or composed for the event. They won’t play anything that has been heard in this configuration before.

This week Classical PopUps will present new arrangements of Piazzolla & Gardel, two prominent composers of Argentine tango - dance music from the suburbs of Buenos Aires and Montevideo from the late 1800s. You can hear that this music was meant to be danced to - it’s full of catchy riffs and rhythms. There’s lots of dance-energy in this recording of Piazzolla’s most famous composition, Libertango, performed by Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth. If you like the sound of great Argentinian party music, this concert might be for you.

They’ll continue with a wide range of music which spans multiple genres: Rat Pack favourites bringing the music of the swinging 60s, films scores by Ennio Morricone (the composer who created the sound of the American Western), and much more.

The organisers have told us that they will delve into anything from Haydn String Trios to new arrangements by their in-house brass duo, so it sounds like there really will be something for everyone. You can listen to the kind of music the ensemble plays in their recent live-stream for Classic FM.

the performers

Classical PopUps’ director & founder is Sali-Wyn Ryan, a violinist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who has played and toured with many of the UKs best orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Classical PopUps bring incredible professional musicians together from major orchestras, West End shows and a huge pool of talented freelancers - sometimes also featuring collaborative artists such as poets, painters and dancers. 

the venue

The informal concert will take place in Beckenham Place Park, and we’re reliably informed that it’ll be ‘under the giant tree, close to the pop-up food and drinks stalls near the mansion!’ For directions, search for Beckenham Place Mansion and you’ll work it out!

Lush

The park is perfect for a sunny late afternoon with a picnic and some live music - we’re optimistically trusting the weather forecast…

With London’s first purpose built swimming lake and a stunning Georgian manor house, it really is idyllic scenery - and there’s pop-up food and drinks available throughout.

It’s free admission and there’s no requirement to book a ticket in advance - just rock up and enjoy. As with most free performances, donations are welcome if you can. The concert will launch the ensemble’s P£RFORM campaign - you can read more about that and donate here.