Welcome the Spring: WATCH ONLINE NOW

Throughout this pandemic Firebird has strived to find a safe and viable path to ensure that our orchestral concerts can continue to be staged.

On Tuesday 18 May we were able to present our first live concert of 2021 – and we have made this wonderful video of the event which we want to share with you…

WELCOME THE SPRING
Filmed live on Tuesday 18 May 2021

Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)
Siegfried Idyll WWV 103

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Symphony no. 36 in C, K.426 Linz 
I Adagio – Allegro spiritoso
II Andante
III Minuetto
IV Finale (Presto)

Conductor George Jackson

Filming & Editing by Europik Music

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME NOTES FOR FREE

We are committed in our support of Firebird’s wonderful musicians and providing essential opportunities for them to perform – especially in these challenging times. Clearly, without an audience to offset some of our costs through ticket sales we do need to asking for donations to support this essential lockdown project and to ensure we continue this valuable work.

SUPPORT FIREBIRD

From London to St Petersburg: WATCH ONLINE NOW

We are delighted to present the film of Firebird’s latest concert from Thursday 19 November with From London to St Petersburg:

FROM LONDON TO ST PETERSBURG
Filmed live on Thursday 19 November 2020

Corelli Concerto Grosso op. 6 no. 4
Holst St Paul’s Suite in C, Op. 29 no. 2
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48

Principal Guest Conductor Michael Thrift

Filming & Editing by Europik Music

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME NOTES FOR FREE

We are committed in our support of Firebird’s wonderful musicians and providing essential opportunities for them to perform – especially in these challenging times.

Clearly, without an audience to offset some of our costs through ticket sales we do need to asking for donations to support this essential lockdown project and to ensure we continue this valuable work.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS FABULOUS CONCERT

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION

From London to St Petersburg

We are delighted that the Firebird Strings will still be able to perform on Thursday 19 November with our musical journey From London to St Petersburg…

… but with a difference

Due the current Covid-19 lockdown, it will unfortunately not be possible for us to welcome an audience for this concert. However, this does give us an important opportunity to film the concert and professionally produce a video of the event which we shall release shortly after the concert for online viewing, via our website and social media.

© Copyright Huw Jennings

We are committed to support our wonderful musicians as always and provide essential opportunities for them to perform – especially in these challenging times. However, without an audience to offset some of our costs through ticket sales we are asking for donations to support this lockdown project and help us continue our valuable work:

Please support our work by making a donation

From London To St Petersburg really does promise to be a special concert with the sumptuous sounds of the Firebird Strings. 

Our Principal Guest Conductor Michael Thrift will guide us through this musical journey from the English pastoral world of Vaughan Wiliams and Holst through the baroque splendour of Corelli’s Italy to the splendour of 19th century Russia and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Serenade for Strings.

And to help you navigate your way through this fabulous music you will also be able to download the colourful and informative programme notes for free.

FROM LONDON TO ST PETERSBURG
Filmed live on Thursday 19 November 2020

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Thomas Tallis
Corelli Concerto Grosso op. 6 no. 4
Holst St Paul’s Suite in C, Op. 29 no. 2
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48

Principal Guest Conductor Michael Thrift

Make a donation

And don’t forget you can still watch the video of last month’s concert String Fling.  With the audience capped at just 40 invited guests – this was the first Firebird performance since March.

String Fling: WATCH ONLINE NOW

Throughout this pandemic Firebird has strived to find a safe and viable path to ensure that our orchestral concerts can continue to be staged. At last, on Thursday 22 October we were able to present our first live concert since February – and we have made this wonderful video of the event which we want to share with you…

STRING FLING
Filmed live on Thursday 22 October 2020
Available from Thursday 29 October at 7.30pm

Vaughan Williams Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus
Elgar Serenade for Strings, Op. 20
Mahler Adagietto (from Symphony no. 5)
Grieg Holberg Suite, Op. 40
Principal Guest Conductor George Jackson

Filming & Editing by Europik Music
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME NOTES FOR FREE

Our players have had the most difficult year imaginable so it is essential that we can provide a platform for them to perform. It is also vitally important for the Orchestra’s supporters and anyone else who gets so much out of hearing us play together. At the start of the concert, Artistic Director and CEO Marc Corbett-Weaver spoke of the importance of music in difficult times: 

‘Music has been with us throughout human existence – music is there when we celebrate, it’s there when we entertain and it’s there when we commiserate. Music has the power to take us on a journey and change our mood. It can comfort those who are nervous or afraid, lonely, isolated, vulnerable or bereaved. Which is why I think tonight’s concert is so important for us all by helping music stay alive.’

By the end of the summer, plans were adapted as necessary to meet the latest guidance and legislation. As autumn approached, a series of national announcements meant we had to revisit our plans again. The London musical world is not only small but also very international. Many of our regular players are scattered across the globe, currently unable to return to the UK. Conductors and soloists have been unable to join us because of changing quarantine restrictions. Consequently, the programme for this concert has changed at least four times.

Our first few concerts will focus on the string section with 23 of our finest string players and a harpist coming together to make superb music together.

With the audience capped at 40 invited guests – this was the smallest number we have performed to since Firebird was formed in 2012. And this was one of the reasons we decided to film tonight’s concert – bringing it into the homes of those who cannot be with us during the present times.

Thank you and we hope you enjoy the concert.

SUPPORT FIREBIRD

Marc Corbett-Weaver performs Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, Op. 18.

London Firebird Orchestra featuring pianist Marc Corbett-Weaver and conductor Michael Thrift. Filmed during the ‘From Russia With Love’ concert on Thursday 16 June 2016 at St Paul’s Covent Garden.