The Lockdown Sessions 2020

#KeepTheMusicPlaying

When large parts of the world went into lockdown in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, musicians everywhere found themselves suddenly unable to perform live concerts.

The response from so many was extraordinary, and brought huge pleasure and a great deal of comfort to people everywhere.

We were so proud to see the creativity of our own artists throughout the crisis, and wanted to bring some wonderful home performances together here for you to enjoy.

Click on the artist’s name for more about each.

#KeepTheMusicPlaying

Gabriela Montero puts on her favourite pyjamas and improvises

Callum Smart plays some gorgeous de Falla with guitarist Alexandra Whittingham.

Ex Cathedra form a virtual choir for Bach’s St John Passion

Katherine Hunka, leader / director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, plays Piazzolla’s Oblivion with her Far Flung Trio.

Jack Liebeck and Katya Apekisheva were due to play together at Wigmore Hall.

Instead they made this video for everyone who would have been there.

Samuel West reads a daily poem, suggested by his followers on Twitter

The Pyjama sessions #2

Yuri Zhislin & Natalia Lomeiko, using lockdown time to play some family Bartok

Jonathan Biss plays Beethoven

Watch Jonathan perform a full recital from his home for 92Y in New York, on Thursday 26th March:

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE STREAM

Tesla Quartet play ‘Quarantunes’ from four different places

The Uriposte Jukebox, now taking requests…

You can follow this series with Elena Urioste and Tom Poster @elenaurisote on Instagram and Twitter.

Read Elena’s blog for The Arts Desk on looking after yourself during a time of enforced isolation…

CLICK HERE

And very quickly a new high is reached…