This week our Young Artists Matilda Lloyd (trumpet) and Amy Thompson (bassoon) performed for #MiddayMusic. You can watch their videos below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch Michael Butten (guitar) perform next Monday and Andrei Iliuskin (piano) perform next Wednesday, both at midday.  Details of their repertoire can be found in the details section on YouTube.  All of our #MiddayMusic videos can be watched on our exclusive playlist.

Matilda Lloyd: ‘No stage, no problem!’  

Trumpet star Matilda Lloyd isn’t someone to let barriers get in her way. When all her concerts were cancelled, Matilda decided to recreate the live music experience from her family’s living room in Kent. Accompanied on piano by her mother, and wearing concert dress, Matilda’s #HomeConcert series attempts to get the live music feel with all the associated adrenalin.

“I’ve always been quite goal driven so my life has revolved around working towards the next concert or competition and keeping the momentum going. “Having those things removed has forced me to re-evaluate why I play the trumpet and to focus on the music I enjoy playing most,” says Matilda, who is currently studying for a Diploma at Malmo Academy of Music.

Matilda’s recent online performances also include collaborations with The Gesualdo Six and a few with a brass quintet. “I’ve also been involved in Instagram live webinars, including one for John Packer, and done a Radio 3 interview in which I got to chat to the amazing Jess Gillam about all our favourite music on #ThisClassicalLife. It was recorded over Skype.”

For the Company’s #MiddayMusic series, Matilda performs two pieces: Elegy – Alexander Arutiunian and Air de Bravoure – André Jolivet. “Elegy was composed as an encore in 2000 and is a beautiful lyrical melody for trumpet and piano. I think it’s quite relevant at the moment as it is sad and reflective in nature as it is mostly minor, but has little rays of hope/sunshine as it occasionally slips into major. Jolivet’s Air de Bravoure is a contrasting short, virtuosic tour-de-force with a title that translates as ‘Air of Courage/Bravery’ – something we all need during these difficult months.”

Amy Thompson: Learning something new every day 

Amy Thompson has been learning something new every day during lockdown after setting up regular Zoom sessions for bassoonists from her student halls. Open to anyone, the online sessions are a chance for bassoonists to get together, share advice and skills, and learn from the best with masterclasses. The latest masterclass included Jos de Lange from the Concertgebouworkest.

“The last few months have been a real learning experience. In addition to launching the bassoon sessions which I promote on the Bassoons United FB page, I’m teaching via Zoom, learning sound editing software and bassoon reed making – I’ve also raised money for Help Musicians who, similarly to the RSM, BAPAM and Musicians’ Company, have supported me so much over the years.” Amy is also exploring ways to push the bassoon for folk music and promote new music by female composers with the chamber ensemble, Tailleferre.

For Amy’s #MiddayMusic piece she chose four movements from the Telemann Canonic Sonatas, which she recorded on Zoom and edited with Audacity software. “I’ve been lucky to have a bunch of great teachers, but one of my early teachers – a true female role model – always used to start a lesson by asking me to pick a Telemann Sonata between one and six.”