The UK’s longest-established chamber orchestra, Croydon’s London Mozart Players, is out on the move with a new dynamic 5-date tour titled #LMPOnTheMove.
The shows will take orchestral music-making to new audiences with help from a series of artists from very different genres
The orchestra kicks off their season with composer and musician Fiona Brice, who has previously worked with the likes of Kanye West and Placebo. They will be performing the world premiere of her new string work, ‘Relationships’, at Matthews Yard on Friday 19 May.
Croydon’s rooftop cinema and bar is back this year above Centrale shopping centre and the following night the orchestra will be continuing their season outside under the stars performing Charlie Chaplin’s Academy-Award® nominated score for classic silent comedy The Gold Rush, conducted live to the film by Ben Palmer.
On 1 June the central children’s library will be the venue for two half-term performances of Paul Patterson’s arrangement of Roald Dahl’s ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Narrated by Rebecca Kenny, there will also be arts and crafts workshops included in the show.
Following on from these events, on 18 June, the orchestra is joined by BBC Young Musician of the Year 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason as they perform Haydn’s Cello Concerto. This will be the highlight of a weekend takeover of St John the Evangelist in Upper Norwood for the Crystal Palace Overground Festival.
The tour ends the following month on 19 July with a blockbuster collaboration at the 2,000 capacity Croydon BoxPark featuring the multi-platinum selling electronic recording artist SHIFT K3Y & producer Grades. The pair will perform brand new music alongside the orchestra in a fusion night of electronic, indie and classical styles.
Julia Desbruslais, Executive Director of the orchestra, said: “We hope these collaborative performances in exciting, diverse venues will appeal to audiences of all ages and experiences, taking place right on the doorsteps of residents, within our home of the borough of Croydon. These flagship events will go towards putting Croydon on the map artistically as a creative and innovative hub of musical and artistic excellence.”
Paula Murray, Croydon Council’s Cultural Director, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this excellent new series by London Mozart Players, taking classical music to audiences and venues across the borough. With Fairfield Halls closed for its refurbishment, it’s vital that we continue to support fantastic cultural initiatives like this one, as well as developing unforgettable collaborations with world-class musical talent from other genres. On the move… both physically and artistically!”
The tour comes 18 months after the orchestra moved out of Fairfield Halls in advance of the building’s multi-million pound refurbishment. It reflects the LMP’s enterprising approach to classical music and aims to reach people of all ages, backgrounds and musical interests. Tickets available from www.londonmozartplayers.com
