MUSIC-CAR PARK/CLASSICAL MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA Multi-Story orchestra plays classical music in a car park

Record ID: 141714

  • Title: MUSIC-CAR PARK/CLASSICAL MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA Multi-Story orchestra plays classical music in a car park
  • Date: 8th September 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE ABSTRUCKT ENSEMBLE, ELSA BRADLEY, SAYING: "Most of the repertoire we pick is on the basis that it is percussion music but theatrical percussion music so it has element of theatre or just a little bit flamboyant so we can play around with it and break the barrier down between you know: we are playing music and you should listen to actually it being more interactive thing." ABSTRUCKT ENSEMBLE PERFORMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE, LILLY HASKEN, SAYING: "I love the kind of unexpected nature of the encounter. I mean you are obviously coming to a stir car park building but I haven't been to this space. Previously it was at here that was a new thing for me as well, a new discovery. It is an amazing opportunity to see a collection of really talented musicians performing amazing pieces often quite different to what you might usually find so yeah it is a wonderful project. It is really great. " LONDON SKYLINE AS SEEN FROM THE CAR PARK
  • Embargoed: 23rd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA85QWG5OOPKMQQ71XX780IRV2C
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The idea is simple: To take classical music out of the sanctuary of music halls and grande venues in order to bring it closer, to people.
    The Multi-Story orchestra chose a disused car park in south-east London to perform classical work, from Sibelius's Fifth Symphony to Beethhoven's Creatures of Prometheus Overture.
    "In sort of traditional classical spaces you have such a big separation between the stage and the audience and you don't really sense that they are there at all. You are just kind of in your own space and stage, which sort of can be good in some ways but I personally found it kind of sterile. You are in your own box and you have no idea who is responding," said Kate Whitley, composer and co-founder of the Multi-Story orchestra.
    The search for the perfect parking lot was not easy. The co-founders first tried to do it in a car park in Cambridge and contacted the council asking for permission until they found a disused multi-storey car park in Peckham.
    The acoustic remains a problem and a challenge, adds Whitley as a 50-piece symphony orchestra is complicated acoustically.
    But the group's trademark is experimenting with both space and sound.
    Recently, they created a circula space at the car park that was isolated using straw.
    The space is called Strawditorium and was designed by Practice Architecture.
    Level seven of the car park where the orchestra performs is becoming a welcoming space for other young musicians to experiment.
    On Sunday (September 6) a percussion group, the Abstruckt Ensemble performed new classical compositions including John Cage, "Living Room Music."
    "Most of the repertoire we pick is on the basis that it is percussion music but theatrical percussion music so it has element of theatre or just a little bit flamboyant so we can play around with it and break the barrier down between you know: we are playing music and you should listen to actually it being more interactive thing," said Elsa Bradley from the Abstruckt Ensemble.
    The performances at Peckham car park have been attracting an audience that is growing to be loyal - including fan Lilly Hasken.
    "I love the kind of unexpected nature of the encounter. I mean you are obviously coming to a stir car park building but I haven't been to this space. Previously it was at here that was a new thing for me as well, a new discovery. It is an amazing opportunity to see a collection of really talented musicians performing amazing pieces often quite different to what you might usually find so yeah it is a wonderful project. It is really great," Hasken said.
    She comes regularly to listen to work performed and hosted by Multi-Story Orchestra.
    The orchestra performs every summer and it is their fourth year in Peckham.
    The group also work with children from local schools teaching and performing joint concerts.
    The tickets to their concerts are often sold out a week in advance.
    Multi-Story orchestra's last performance for this season will be on Sunday 13th and the group will play Beethoven's Symphony no. 7.
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