One year on…
A year ago today I announced to the world (well, my friends and social media contacts) that I’d had a mad idea to play Bach’s “48”, complete, 48 times, once in every county of England (there being, conveniently, 48) – all in the space of a year. There were 48 days left in the year 2020 at that moment, we were in the depths of lockdown, and I decided if I didn’t just get on and announce the thing on that numerically auspicious date, I’d never do it. It was a bit like shutting my eyes and jumping off the diving board and seeing what happened.
Well, so far, it’s been amazing. And hard work, and exhausting, and at times frustrating – but on balance just extraordinary, enriching, eye-opening, and healing. This is – and continues to be – the most beautiful, mind-blowing, profound music. Getting to live with it in this way has been like nothing else. And people have been so generous in spending time and energy organising performances, in travelling to come to them, and in donating to the project fundraiser. So far I’ve raised over £25,000 for Youth Music, Future Talent, Live Music Now and Help Musicians through the performances.
What with the small matter of a global pandemic, the performances didn’t start until May, so they continue until next May. I have a few weeks off now doing other things but then give the Greater London performances at St John the Divine Kennington on 14th & 15th Dec. Do come if you’re nearby. And thank you all for the support so far!
