With the clock counting down to the start of Harrogate Music Festival, which features some of the brightest talents from the world of classical music, a new study shows just how important classical music is in our lives.
The renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) kicks off this year’s festival with a concert at the stunning Royal Hall on June 8, and a recent survey, published last week by The Association of British Orchestras (ABO), has revealed that 74 per cent of recipients believe that orchestras are a vital part of the UK’s cultural heritage.
Two thousand adults took part in the study, carried out by Opinium, with 71 per cent of those questioned believing that classical music amplifies the big moments in life such as weddings and funerals, as well as major sporting events and national ceremonies.
British orchestras are some of the UK’s most globally admired and influential cultural organisations and a pillar of the country’s creative economy, and this new survey has shown that they are at the heart of some of our most treasured personal and national memories.
The ABO study also shows a strong belief in the transformative power of music among many people, with seven out of ten respondents saying music is an important part of their wellbeing. With many orchestras and ensembles carrying out performances in health and social care settings, not only do they contribute to the cultural life in local communities across the country, they also make a vital contribution to the nation’s wellbeing, by enabling anyone to connect with the arts and to experience live music performances.
The Association of British Orchestras’ Chair, Sophie Lewis, said: “It is truly heartening to see how much classical music matters to the British public. Our survey showed how people turn to classical music in so many different settings, not only for pure enjoyment, but for reflection, mindfulness and to feel a powerful sense of connection – whether that’s a highly personal sense of emotion, or to share life’s special moments with those around them.
“Everyone has their favourite music that transports them to a landmark moment in their life. We want to start a conversation open to everyone – both enthusiasts and casual listeners of classical music – to introduce one another to the music that moves them. We want to spark engagement and excitement for us all to celebrate the music that we can be proud of in Britain as a part of our cultural heritage.”
Oliver Janes, CBSO’s Section Leader Clarinet, who will be performing at next month’s eagerly awaited concert in Harrogate, believes that live music, and orchestral music in particular, can enrich all our lives.
He said: “Nothing can transport you somewhere quite like live music. It’s great listening to music on your headphones at home but actually experiencing it and feeling the floor vibrate when the orchestra’s really going, nothing can recreate that. Classical music is everywhere in our lives and it enhances film soundtracks and video games, it creates the atmosphere so that you can then let yourself go into these different worlds.”
Harrogate Music Festival, which starts on June 8 and runs until July 13, features an array of spectacular musical talent with artists from the worlds of classical, jazz, soul and dance music.
Among the many highlights are the prize-winning Gildas Quartet, who will be performing in the Spiegeltent, where audiences can take in their unique and innovative take on classical music in a special ‘surround sound’ performance, and the Maxwell Quartet who delve into their Scottish roots and folk music heritage to expand the string quartet repertoire.