Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra releases key findings from recent research on music and mental health. Asking a nationally representative sample of 2,110 adults on the perceived benefits of listening to orchestral music during lockdown in 2020, the findings were as follows:
Following the passing of former Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Leader Barry Griffiths, Andrew Klee (RPO First Violin) shares his memories a former colleague and friend:
It was with much sadness that I heard the news of Barry Griffiths’ death. Barry was appointed as Leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1976 and it was Barry who then gave me a position in his section.
Barry was obviously a first class violinist and I remember his performances of the Elgar Concerto being among the finest, with his glorious sweet sound lending itself particularly well to those favourites of the British concert hall, The Lark Ascending and Méditation from Thaïs.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was extremely saddened to learn of the recent passing of its former Leader, Barry Griffiths. Barry held the position with the Orchestra from 1976 to 1989, beginning under the baton of Antal Doráti and continuing with a glorious career, guiding the Orchestra through a more than a decade of distinguished performances, tours and recordings with a host of legendary conductors and soloists, including André Previn, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yehudi Menuhin, Nigel Kennedy, Yuri Temirkanov, Luciano Pavarotti and many more.
The RPO family will fondly remember Barry and we extend our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
This weekend, Wembley Park and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) brought live orchestral music to an unsuspecting audience of residents, shoppers and diners in London’s newest creative neighbourhood.
Leading musicians from the RPO surprised Wembley Park’s community and its visitors with their first live appearance together since lockdown and the first collaboration since it was announced in 2019 that the Orchestra will be moving its headquarters to the area.
