Viv McLean, Fenella Humphreys & Anthony Pinching

Viv McLean (piano)

Fenella Humphreys (violin)

Anthony Pinching (narrator)

 

Soundscapes

A Narrated Concert – in Memory of Paul Robertson, in support of the Music Mind Spirit Trust

 

JS Bach

Solo Violin Partita #3 in E Maj: Prelude; Gavotte en rondeau

Ravel

Violin Sonata #2 Allegretto

Beethoven

Op 130 #5 Cavatina (arr. for Violin & Piano)

Elgar

Violin Sonata: Romance; Allegro non troppo

Debussy

Prelude – Des pas sur la Neige

Pascoe

Keskan IV (Dedicated to Paul)

INTERVAL

Beethoven

Spring Sonata Allegro

Tavener

The Lamb

Bach

Chaconne from Solo Violin Partita #2 in D minor

Janacek

In the Mists #1

Bach

Solo Violin Sonata #3 in C major (arr. R Schumann): Adagio

 

Paul Robertson was a remarkable violinist, leader of the Medici String Quartet for some 40 years, a broadcaster, and someone who explored deeply the connections between music and the brain and spirit. His book: Soundscapes – A Musician’s Journey through Life and Death, around which this narrated concert is built, will be performed in St John’s Parish Church, Pinner, a place where he both played and spoke.

The concert portrays his life, musicianship and profound insights, mostly in his own words and with music that connects to his story – which he set down following the near-death experience that liberated an extraordinary reflection on music and meaning.

Viv MacLean suggested this narrated charity concert after reading Soundscapes. He and his close colleague Fenella Humphreys have generously donated their performances in support of the Music Mind Spirit Trust, a charity founded by Paul and his wife Chika – which continues to support their mission of “enriching lives through music”.

The concert launches the 20th anniversary of MMST, a charity seeking to enrich lives & communities through music, working in close collaboration with leading scientists, medical & management experts. Founded by the late Prof Paul Robertson & Dr Chika Robertson, its award-winning cross-curricular & intergenerational programmes have engaged people from all backgrounds with families, schools & communities since 2004. The inclusive ethos generates a sense of self- & collective identity, celebrating multi-cultural and social perspectives through music and biographical stories.

The charity’s current focus is to support and train professional musicians, teachers, promising young singers & instrumentalists. In the British Opera Academy, MMST’s unique flagship performance programme, young international professional singers are being equipped to further new career paths in Musical Leadership, Health & Wellbeing. In turn, they are mentoring and inspiring MMST’s Young Artist Musical Ambassadors (Royal Academy of Music), who are learning to take music into care homes & other protected environments using MMST’s tried and tested intergenerational SongTrees methodology. Funds raised at this concert will support scholarships & performance opportunities through the British Opera Academy of Music Mind Spirit Trust, directed by Dr Chika Robertson & Prof Mark Ross Clark.