Even if classical isn’t your particular musical genre, pretty much everyone knows the sound of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Originally written over three hundred years ago in 1723, the world then was obviously a very different place – one where the phrase ‘climate crisis’ had never been uttered. Why am I telling you this? Well, Croydon’s resident orchestra London Mozart Players (LMP) has created a new multi-genre spectacular inspired by Vivaldi’s iconic concertos, with new commissions from four community groups, as a reflection on the climate emergency.

Working with composers Fiona Brice and Sarah Freestone, Club Soda, Croydon Music & Arts (CMA), Queer Croydon x Stanley Arts and Subrang Arts will premiere their performances in ‘Changing Seasons’ on Saturday 15 February at Fairfield Halls.

We caught up with the composers Sarah and Fiona, as well as LMP Artistic Projects Manager Sophie Haynes, and Co-head of CMA Jon Regan to find out more about Changing Seasons.

Croydonist: With so many creative organisations involved, how did you find the collaborative process? 

Sarah: It’s always an inspiration to collaborate with others to create something new, the more imaginations at work the better! I always learn so much from others experiences and skills and this project has taken my writing in several new directions, which is really exciting for me.

Fiona: It’s true that there are a lot of different organisations involved but I was allocated two artists to write with (Praveen Prathapan from Subrang Arts and Luminous Starchild from Club Soda) plus the orchestra, who I write for regularly. The workload was clearly defined and totally manageable, and I was supported by good communication between London Mozart Players, Subrang Arts and Club Soda on the practicalities, which allowed me to focus fully on the music.

Sophie: There’s something so special about bringing together people with completely different artistic practices and finding a common ground to build something new on. It’s often a bit scary and a bit exciting for everyone as no-one is completely in their comfort zone, and the resulting creativity is kind of electric. The devising process for each new commission has been completely unique; some workshops involve lots of playing and improvising at the outset where others have begun with beautiful sprawling conceptual discussions. It’s been incredibly interesting to see Sarah and Fiona pivot their working style to support and collaborate in different ways with each artist, and the resulting works are totally original.

Croydonist: How does the theme of the climate emergency weave into your work? 

Sarah: In the sessions with the young people of CMA we read the new poem and the original Vivaldi poem, listened and analysed the Vivaldi concerto and had many interesting conversations about what Winter meant to them. Conflict, resolution and the image of home and what that means to us were the themes that we used as the basis of our composition.

Fiona: In “Spring” Praveen and I focussed on the positivity of the natural world, the abundance of life blooming at the start of each year, honouring a sense of rebirth, renewal; the inevitability of nature’s progress.  By contrast, in “Autumn” Manoj (aka Luminous Starchild) wanted an initially playful piece of music to develop into something darker and more urgent, with a sense of unease, of something being wrong. Both pieces are abstract responses to the subject, rather than didactic narratives.

Sophie: The different responses to the brief have been really fascinating; it’s so easy for conversations and work around climate change to go to a depressing or dark place, and even more so with what’s happening in the news at the moment. Each creative has chosen a different path to exploring the subjects; whether by distorting Vivaldi’s music through a quirky new lens, creating a battle cry for young voices, or reflecting on the beauty and importance of nature. Hearing these new works alongside Vivaldi’s classic 300 years since it was first performed will definitely highlight the contrast in how we experience nature in the present day compared to back then.

Croydonist: What has been the most challenging aspect of the production? 

Sarah: With an ambitious project like this there are inevitably some big – and unusual – logistical challenges! LMP has enabled the two new commissions to go in any direction with no restrictions, and so we have lots of young musicians playing alongside the professionals as well as movement and electronic soundscapes…

Fiona: The practicalities! Getting everyone together in one room for workshops is always a challenge because we all have different jobs, schedules and commitments, but making music works best in person, and we did manage to get together multiple times prior to the final rehearsals.

Sophie: Having so many partners is a real privilege, however there’s also a huge amount of admin that then comes from it. The project planning for a production of this scale is significant and has been over a year in the making – not to mention the technical requirements which are miles above and beyond the usual requirements for a standard orchestral concert. Everyone on the LMP team has been working extremely hard, and it will be a huge celebration (and a bit of a relief) when it all comes together!

Croydonist: What are you most looking forward to about the performance? 

Sarah: Hearing the new commissions in context with the Vivaldi concertos that inspired them. I think it’s going to be quite special and an opportunity to reflect on Vivaldi’s incredible music in a new light.

Fiona: I am really looking forward to the live atmosphere in the Fairfield Halls as people experience this music for the first time in that beautiful acoustic space, whether that’s their first time hearing Vivaldi, or just the buzz of hearing all these new commissions performed by local artists under one roof. I was involved in the “Oratorio of Hope” for Croydon’s term as London Borough of Culture and was in the audience on the first night: the hall was buzzing with energy, it was fantastic. I hope we’ll capture that again.

Sophie: Something I’m really excited to hear and see the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place – experiencing Jeremiah’s poem, the original Vivaldi, and four amazing new works, with immersive lighting and effects to boot – and (hopefully!) seeing Fairfield Halls full of people! This project demonstrates how much Croydon has to be proud of – amazing work is happening across the borough and Changing Seasons celebrates just a glimpse of the wealth of talented creatives in the community.

Jon: When students are involved in the creative process there is an enormous sense of pride in hearing their music being performed. They say things like “I can’t believe other people are going to be playing my ideas.” And when they step into a venue like Fairfield Halls and hear musicians from London Mozart Players playing their piece the level of excitement soars. This event will certainly create lifelong memories for Croydon Music and Arts students, and their families will be bursting with pride.

Croydonist: Top two reasons why our readers should come and see Changing Seasons? 

Sarah: If the programme was a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons alone, I would highly recommend coming along to hear the fantastic musicians of LMP perform one of the greatest string pieces in the repertoire… but with the added new works I think this will be an extraordinary event. That the inspirations for the new pieces are the sum of so many parts means there is absolutely something for everyone!

Fiona: To experience the energy of live music performed in a beautiful welcoming space, and to share in celebrating the creative ambition of this talented community.

Sophie: Come and see Fairfield Halls come alive with music – from our free community showcase in the afternoon to the evening spectacle, the whole day will be a truly joyful celebration of local arts and top-notch music.

Fairfield Halls has the best acoustics in London – there is nothing quite like hearing a full orchestra play in there, and I will bet you good money that your socks will be knocked fully off by our solo violinists Ruth Rogers and Simon Blendis. Think Jimi Hendrix crossed with a red hot violin…

Thank you to Sarah, Fiona, Sophie, and Jon for chatting with us.

Changing Seasons takes place on Saturday 15 February at Fairfield Halls. Get you tickets here. Follow LMP’s Instagram for updates.

Images courtesy of LMP

Posted by Julia