It’s no secret, 2020 has not been a great year for live music. The pandemic has, however, driven innovation in the area of digital concerts. Streaming full-length concerts on YouTube, Facebook and dedicated platforms like the newly launched DG Stage have become much more commonplace, with artists pushing the concepts and production value of their concerts in new directions.
Here are some innovative digital concerts taking place this month.
Between Us by Ludovico Einaudi
Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi will perform four of his most iconic pieces from his home studio in northern Italy. With no live audience present, this “music for calm” event will be presented live on YouTube across the globe, and available to watch after the live event.
Chernobyl Live by Hildur Guðnadóttir with Chris Watson & Sam Slater
Premieres 4 December | Available until 11 December
Multi-award-winning Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir has received wide recognition – including an Emmy and a Grammy – for her haunting score for HBO’s hit TV series Chernobyl.
In Chernobyl Live Guðnadóttir creates a captivating live rendition of her brilliant soundtrack, offering a unique experience of an immersive multi-channel work for industrial spaces.
Hildur is joined by Sam Slater and field recordist Chris Watson, and with an innovative lighting concept by Theresa Baumgartner and spatialisation by Francesco Donadello.
Voices by Max Richter – Global Radio Broadcast
To mark Human Rights Day on Thursday 10th December, composer Max Richter’s groundbreaking recording project VOICES, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, will be broadcast for the first time on BBC Radio 3 and 35 international radio stations in Europe, the US, Australia and beyond, in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union.
VOICES will be presented in a new version for 24-piece ensemble including strings, four-member choir, electronics, solo soprano and narrator. The line-up for the performance from Maida Vale in West London features conductor Robert Ziegler, violinist Viktoria Mullova as soloist, soprano Grace Davidson, members of London-based vocal ensemble Tenebrae, the Max Richter ensemble – with Richter himself on keyboards and electronics – and British actor Sheila Atim as the narrator.
A full list of participating radio stations can be found on Max’s website.