The Myra Hess series dedicated to the wartime lunchtime concerts which Myra Hess presented between 1939-1945 has been postponed to 2021/2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The series will now start on 7th October 2021 at the National Gallery followed by concerts at Wigmore Hall during the 2021/21 season starting on 16th October.
October 3: Wigmore Hall
7.30pm
with Richard Hosford (clarinet), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Michael Gurevich (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B min or Op 115
Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A Op 81
Programme lasting 90 minutes and performed without an interval.
The concert will be streamed to Wigmore Hall subscribers and on YouTube
April 27, Wigmore Hall
Nash Inventions
5.00pm
RAM Project Side by Side concert
Works by Julian Anderson. Helen Grime, Philip Cashian and two new commissions by student composers Electra Perivalaris and Gabriel Williams, performed by RAM student instrumentalists and members of the Nash Ensemble.
6.15pm
Pre-concert talk: Composers in discussion with journalist Tom Service
7.30pm
with Geoffrey Paterson (conductor), Claire Booth (soprano/reciter), Harrison Birtwistle (speaker*), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Mark-Anthony Turnage: Owl Songs for soprano and ensemble (world premiere) *
Julian Anderson: Prayer for solo viola +
Julian Anderson: Another Prayer for solo violin +
Harrison Birtwistle: Four Songs of Autumn for soprano and string quartet
Harrison Birtwistle: … when falling asleep for reciter, speaker and ensemble *
Simon Holt: Cloud Shadow for piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn (world premiere) *
Harrison Birtwistle: Duet for Eight Strings for viola and cello *
Colin Matthews: Seascapes for soprano and ensemble (world premiere) *
* Nash Ensemble commission or co-commission
+ recorded for an NMC Julian Anderson CD by the Nash Ensemble
The Nash Ensemble is renowned for the depth and strength of its relationships with leading British composers of successive generations. Some of the most significant of its current associations are celebrated in this season’s Nash Inventions concert, consisting of a song cycle by Mark-Anthony Turnage, originally commissioned for his 60th birthday year in 2020 but now receiving its world premiere, a pair of Prayers for solo strings by Julian Anderson, three recent works by Harrison Birtwistle including a Duet specially written for Lawrence Power and Adrian Brendel, a newly commissioned piano-and-wind quintet by Simon Holt, and a new song cycle by Colin Matthews co-commissioned with the Aldeburgh Festival and marking the composer's 75th birthday.
 Mark-Anthony Turnage |  Colin Matthews |  Harrison Birtwistle |  Julian Anderson |  Simon Holt |
October 16, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
The Nash Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble in Residence at Wigmore Hall, presents a season of programmes performed in the National Gallery’s famous series of lunchtime concerts, which was given to enthusiastic audiences throughout the Second World War, even during the Blitz, under the determined direction of the pianist Dame Myra Hess. Each evening concert at Wigmore Hall (7.00 pm to approximately 9.45 pm) consists of two complete National Gallery programmes, chosen to represent the taste and skill with which the series was devised and its wide popular appeal.
Click here to watch an introduction to
the Nash Ensemble's celebration of
Dame Myra Hess and her National
Gallery concerts in World War II.
Film clip from "Listen to Britain"
© Imperial War Museum.
5.00pm:
Katy Hamilton chairs a discussion reviewing the legacy and vision of Dame Myra's extraordinary concerts, with composer Nigel Hess (Dame Myra's great nephew), her niece Libbie Foster, and actress Dame Patricia Routledge, who represents Myra in Admission One Shilling (see December 12th at 5pm)
7.00pm
with Simon Crawford-Phillips & Alasdair Beatson (piano duet), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Lawrence Power (viola)
Mozart: Sonata in B flat major K 358
Schubert: Fantasia in F minor D 940
Brahms: Variations on a theme of Schumann Op.23
Dvorak: Slavonic Dances in B flat minor Op.72 No.5, in A flat Op.72 No.8, in C Op.72 No.7
Performed at the National Gallery on 30 September 1940 by Denis Matthews & Howard Ferguson (piano duet)
Mozart: Serenade in G major for strings K 525 Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart: Duo in B flat major for violin and viola K 424
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 23 in A major K 488
Performed at the National Gallery on 30 October 1940 by Myra Hess (piano) and the Orchestra of the Central Band of H.M. Royal Air Force, conductor Wing Commander R.P.O. O’Donnell, MVO, with Frederick Grinke (violin) and Watson Forbes (viola)
This opening evening, preceded by a discussion, embraces a delectable selection of music for four hands on one piano, and an all-Mozart programme including one of his finest piano concertos.
 Simon Crawford-Phillips |  Alasdair Beatson |  Myra Hess |  Howard Ferguson turning pages for Myra Hess. Still from film Listen to Britain © Imperial War Museum |
November 13, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
5.30pm:
To preface an evening including French music, the much-loved actress and dancer Leslie Caron talks to lecturer Katy Hamilton about her experiences as a young girl living in Paris under the German occupation. (subject to confirmation)
7.00pm
with Lucy Crowe (soprano), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Philippa Davies (flute), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Lucy Wakeford (harp)
Stravinsky: Duo Concertant for violin and piano
Stravinsky: Berceuse, Prelude and Round Dance of the Princesses from The Firebird (vln, pf)
Stravinsky: Ragtime; Russian Dance from Petrushka, for solo piano
Stravinsky: Suite from The Soldier's Tale for clarinet, violin and piano
Performed at the National Gallery on 9 July 1942 by Franz Osborn (piano), Max Rostal (violin), Pauline Juler (clarinet)
Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet
Debussy: Syrinx for solo flute
Songs with piano: Berlioz: Absence from Les nuits d’été; Chabrier: Villanelle des petits canards; Hahn: Les fontaines; Fauré: L'hiver a cessé
Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor
Performed (Introduction and Allegro and Syrinx) at the National Gallery on 17 April 1940 by Gwendolyn Mason (harp), Joseph Slater (flute), Stephen Waters (clarinet) and the Hirsch String Quartet: Leonard Hirsch & Henry Ball (violins), James Verity (viola) and Kathleen Moorhouse (cello); (songs and Trio) on Tuesday July 14th 1942 by Dame Maggie Teyte (soprano) with Ivor Newton (piano), and the Classical Trio: Kathleen Long (piano), Eda Kersey (violin), James Whitehead (cello)
A brightly coloured evening of music from a 1942 National Gallery programme dedicated to Stravinsky, and from two concerts of French music in 1940 and 1942. The French selection includes a group of songs sung then by the great soprano Maggie Teyte and now by the ever-popular Lucy Crowe.
 Lucy Crowe |  Leslie Caron |  Leaflet for Pauline Juler's recital at Wigmore Hall, 22 March 1939 |  Dame Maggie Teyte |
December 11, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
5.00pm
Admission: One Shilling
Dame Patricia Routledge as Dame Myra Hess, Piers Lane (piano)
Admission One Shilling, devised by Dame Myra Hess's composer great-nephew Nigel Hess, tells the story, in words, music and images, of the series of morale-boosting lunchtime concerts that Dame Myra organised at the National Gallery during the Second World War. It draws on press interviews she gave and comments she made during BBC broadcasts. She is represented by the much loved Patricia Routledge. The pianist Piers Lane performs music Myra Hess played in these concerts, by Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Chopin, Beethoven and Bach - including her celebrated transcription of Jesu, joy of man's desiring.
 Dame Patricia Routledge and Piers Lane |
 Renata Pokupic © Chris Gloag |  Lawrence Power |  Lionel Tertis (1940s) © Lebrecht Music Arts - Bridgeman Images.jpg |  Elena Gerhardt © Lebrecht Music Arts - Bridgeman Images |
January 15, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
7.00pm
with Roderick Williams (baritone), Simon Crawford-Phillips & Philip Moore (piano duet), Marianne Thorsen (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Debussy: Songs: Beau soir; L'echelonnement des haies; Colloque sentimental; Green
Debussy: Sonata for violin and piano
Poulenc: Song cycle: Tel jour telle nuit
Poulenc: Sonata for violin and piano (in memory of Federico Garcia Lorca)
Performed at the National Gallery on 22 March 1945 by Pierre Bernac (baritone), Ginette Neveu (violin) and Francis Poulenc (piano)
Fauré: Dolly Suite for piano duet Op.56
Fauré: Piano Quartet No.1 in C minor Op.15
Performed at the National Gallery on 11 May 1945 by Denis Matthews & Howard Ferguson (piano duet), Clifford Curzon (piano) and members of the Griller Quartet.
This concert reproduces two French programmes performed at the National Gallery in the closing stages of the War in Europe: a recital of music by Debussy and Francis Poulenc given by three outstanding visiting French artists including Poulenc himself; and a celebration by leading British performers of the centenary of Gabriel Fauré.
 Roderick Williams |  Pierre Bernac and Francis Poulenc © Lebrecht Music Arts - Bridgeman Images |  Griller Quartet c.1950 © Tully Potter - Bridgeman Images |
February 12, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
7.00pm
with James Gilchrist (tenor), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Marianne Thorsen (violin), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Mendelssohn: Sonata in D major for cello and piano Op.58
Mendelssohn: Song without Words in G minor Op.53 No.3 & in E Op.19 No.1 for solo piano
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor Op.49
Performed at the National Gallery on 21 February 1940 by Margaret Goode (piano), Harry Blech (violin) and William Pleeth (cello)
Dowland: Awake! sweet love; In darkness let me dwell; Come heavy sleep
Purcell: I'll sail upon the dog-star; There's not a swain; Not all my torments; On the brow of Richmond Hill
Tippett: Boyhood's End
Britten: Folk song arrangements for voice & piano
Performed at the National Gallery on 7 October 1943 by Peter Pears (tenor) and Benjamin Britten (piano)
Re-creations of instrumental and vocal concerts at the National Gallery: an all-Mendelssohn programme from 1940, including the brilliant D minor Trio; and a 1943 recital of English songs in which Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten performed a work written for them by Michael Tippett, the radiant cantata Boyhood's End.
 James Gilchrist |  Adrian Brendel |  Peter Pears & Benjamin Britten. Portrait by Kenneth Green © National Portrait Gallery - De Agostini Picture Library - Bridgeman Images |
February 13, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
11.30am
with Alasdair Beatson (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Beethoven: Piano Trio in C minor Op.1 No.3
Brahms: Piano Trio No 1 in B major (revised) Op.8
Performed at the National Gallery on 6 November 1940 by Myra Hess (piano) with Arnold Rosé (violin) and Friedrich Buxbaum (cello) (former members of the Rosé Quartet)
The Nash Ensemble's series based on the famous National Gallery wartime concerts comes to an end with a morning performance of trios by Beethoven and Brahms, as played in 1940 by Myra Hess and two veterans of the world-famous Viennese Rosé Quartet.
 Arnold Rosé (r) with his brother-in-law Gustav Mahler © Lebrecht Music Arts / Bridgeman Images |  Myra Hess - chalk drawing by AM Burton © Libbie Foster |  Rosé Quartet |
March 12, Wigmore Hall
A Celebration of Myra Hess and her National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts in WWII
7.00pm
with Marcus Farnsworth (baritone), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Beethoven: Piano Trio in E flat major Op.70 No.2
Songs with piano:
George Dyson: A Poet's Hymn; Arnold Bax: The White Peace; Henry Balfour Gardiner: Winter; Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Sons of the sea;
Frederick Keel: Trade winds; Peter Warlock: Captain Stratton's Fancy
Ireland: Phantasie-Trio in A minor
Performed at the National Gallery on 30 October 1939 by William Parsons (baritone) and the Grinke Trio: Kendall Taylor (piano), Frederick Grinke (violin) and Florence Hooton (cello)
Mozart: Fantasia in C minor for piano K475
Mozart: Serenade in B flat major (Gran Partita) for wind and double bass K361
Performed at the National Gallery on 19 August 1942 by Myra Hess (piano) and the London Wind Players, conducted by Harry Blech
A well-varied evening includes piano trios by Beethoven and John Ireland and a group of English songs, as performed in one of the earliest of the National Gallery’s wartime concerts, together with a Mozart programme from the height of the War consisting of the dramatic piano Fantasia in C minor and a Mozart’s masterwork- his sublime Serenade for 12 wind instruments and double bass.
 Programme for National Gallery Lunchtime Concerts, 1940. Photo © The National Gallery, London |  Alasdair Beatson, Stephanie Gonley & Adrian Brendel |  Harry Blech |
March 22, Wigmore Hall
Nash Inventions
7.30pm
To include a celebration of Alexander Goehr's 90th birthday
Programme to be confirmed