BH Live has joined forces with Phoenix Pianos to supply Fairfield Halls with a range of its finest instruments when the venue opens later this year. This includes several upright pianos, which will be placed around the venue, and a concert grand to be situated in what will become known as the venue’s Phoenix Concert Hall.
Phoenix Pianos are the world’s most technologically-advanced pianos, utilising quality materials and superior craftsmanship in their Kent-based workshop. Its pianos have been played in concerts all over the world including by the internationally acclaimed Anton Lyakhovsky and Oliver Poole.
During 2019, BH Live will be launching the Phoenix Piano Academy at Fairfield Halls led by Fred Scott, associated artist for music & education. Its inaugural term starts in September with registration available later this year.
London Mozart Players (LMP), the UK’s longest-established professional chamber orchestra, will be returning as the venue’s resident orchestra. The new concert grand piano will be played at a gala performance during September 2019. LMP will also be curating a lunchtime concert season in the venue’s Arnhem Foyer, providing free classical music for all.
“The quality of Phoenix Pianos and the passion of its local team is unparalleled, says Neil Chandler, BH Live’s venue director at Fairfield Halls.
“To partner with an award-winning company, that has such a rich history and is at the heart of piano technology, perfectly aligns with our vision for musical excellence.”
Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, adds, “We have 93,000 young people in Croydon and are proud of every single one of them.
“It’s fantastic that our young people will be able to learn and play on these wonderful instruments in an iconic venue, Fairfield Halls. It’s also great to hear London Mozart Players are returning to Fairfield Halls as our resident orchestra and I can’t wait to see them perform for the people of Croydon.”
Julia Desbruslais, CEO London Mozart Players and artistic associate, classical music for Fairfield Halls commented, “For the past three years during the refurbishment of Fairfield Halls, the LMP has seized the opportunity to develop and build a new audience in Croydon for classical music, exploring venues, devising projects with diverse collaborations and reaching out to the whole community.
“We are very excited to be bringing our audience back to a ‘state-of-the-art’ concert hall which has been the home of the LMP for nearly thirty years, to deliver a programme of world-class soloists and music-making to delight the people of Croydon.”
More details about the London Mozart Players programme and Phoenix Piano Academy at Fairfield Halls will be announced at fairfield.co.uk in the coming months.
Watch more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ls0dRor3CM
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Notes to Editors:
For more information about Fairfield Halls please contact:
Kevin Quilty, Head of Marketing and Development
E: kevin.quilty@bhlive.org.uk
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls has been Croydon’s principle cultural venue for more than 50 years. It is currently undergoing a multimillion pound refurbishment and is part of an overarching masterplan to develop a cultural quarter for the town.
The building will operate as a multi-purpose venue with a concert hall, theatre, meeting rooms, café, restaurants and performance spaces.
Together with adjoining hospitality areas it can accommodate a diverse programme of events including concerts, cultural events, musicals, theatre productions, conferences and exhibitions, meetings, retail catering, restaurants and banquets. The venue will deliver a broad mix of music, dance, opera, comedy, light entertainment, community and corporate events.
Croydon Council’s ambition is to develop a centre for arts, culture, entertainment and community participation – BH Live will operate the venue in partnership with the Council.
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.