The Glasshouse echoes with the heartbeats of classical music
A survey by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) reveals 71% of Britons believe classical music enhances significant life events, and 74% consider orchestras vital to the UK’s cultural heritage. Despite this, 65% feel classical music is under-appreciated today. As part of the ABO’s campaign, The Glasshouse is asking everyone to share the #musicthatmovesyou.
Last May, conductor Chloé van Soeterstède and saxophonist Jess Gillam came to The Glasshouse to perform music that touches their hearts.
Chloe champions music by brilliant female composers. “I programmed Elfrida Andreé’s concert overture for the concert. Not many people know her, even in Sweden, where she’s from,” she says. “Elfida was a pioneering organist who made it legal for female organ students to enrol at the Conservatoire.”
As a new duo for the concert, Chloe was keen to work with long-time friend of The Glasshouse, Jess Gillam. The feeling was mutual. Jess says, “I loved collaborating with Chloé.”
Jess played Alexander Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto. She says, “It has long, brooding yet beautiful melodies with a lively, skittish dance section that leads to a glorious finale.”
To close the performance on a high note, Chloé led Brahms’ First Symphony, affectionately nicknamed Beethoven’s Tenth by the conductor Hans von Bülow. She says, “I adore it, and I knew the orchestra’s sound would embrace what I in mind.”
“The Glasshouse is alive with music, and I love playing with Royal Northern Sinfonia. – it’s always so engaging and dynamic,” says Jess.