The best lockdown orchestra performances to watch online, from Phantom of the Opera to Swan Lake overture
The music goes on no matter what happens – and thank goodness, because could all do with a rousing concerto to lift our spirits.
Orchestral musicians, used to sitting next to each other for hundreds of concerts a year, are keeping in touch with their colleagues online like the rest of us and making sure we don't miss their concerts just because we're stuck inside.
So we've picked some of our favourite lockdown orchestral performances to enjoy, from ballets to boleros.
Swan Lake Overture – English National Ballet’s Philharmonic
Thirty-eight members of the English National Ballet’s Philharmonic got together under the baton of music director Gavin Sutherland for this rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Overture from Swan Lake. Some dressed for the occasion, including Sutherland, in full white tie and tails, while others had a more casual approach (spot the hairy mask). A trombone player who has a good few bars rest at the beginning uses the time to brush up on his craft with a handy how-to book.
Bach Double Violin Concerto in D Minor – Royal Opera House Orchestra
Learning to play an instrument to professional standard is taxing enough, but cellist Tim Hugh seems to need a new challenge. He recorded his part for the Royal Opera House orchestra’s performance of Bach’s famous Double Violin Concerto in D Minor on a boat floating down a river. He wins the award for best location, but the whole performance is gorgeous.
Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah – Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus
The UK premiere of Handel’s Messiah took place at the Royal Opera House in 1743, so it’s only fitting that the orchestra and chorus should perform a tribute. This fantastic and bombastic piece of music is made even better by the appearance of a bassoonist surrounded by chickens, an oboist on a motorbike and even a viola player with a broken arm, who has enlisted someone else to operate the bow.
All I Ask of You – The Phantom of the Opera Orchestra
The Phantom of the Opera is by far Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musical, so when he put out a call for requests, All I Ask of You naturally came out top. The musical’s West End orchestra took it up another notch, accompanying his piano performance. Look out for the Phantom in the video, he’s taken up a new instrument but is still wearing the mask.
Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variations – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra trombone section
The four trombonists in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra usually sit together for more than 240 concerts a year and seem to be missing each other’s company. They reunited over Zoom, each playing two separate parts in this arrangement of Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Putting on their white bowties in preparation, they dedicated the performance to NHS workers.
Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001: A Space Odyssey) – Opera North orchestra
The orchestra of Leeds-based Opera North were supposed to perform Strauss’ famous tone poem live, and decided being isolated was no excuse not to make it happen. They play the first few minutes of the 30 minute piece, now most associated with Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Among the orchestra you’ll spot a percussionist treating his three children to a concert and a giant rat on the bassoon.
Shostakovich’s Waltz no.2 – France National Orchestra
It’s not just British orchestras getting together on Zoom. L'Orchestre National de France (France National Orchestra) performed the most famous movement from Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra, Waltz no.2. Fun fact: the music was used as the theme-tune for 1955 Soviet film The First Echelon.
Ravel’s Boléro – New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra gives us all seven glorious minutes of Ravel’s Boléro, starting with the quiet percussion and strings opening all the way to its majestic climax. A special shout-out to the trombonist who attached his camera to the slide on his instrument to make it zoom in and out as he played.
Va, pensiero from Verdi’s Nabucco – Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus
The Metropolitan Opera’s huge gala stretched over continents, with opera singers performing from their own homes. One of the highlights of the gala was the Met’s orchestra and chorus performing Va, pensiero (also known as the Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi’s Nabucco. conducted by music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, it’s quite something to behold.
Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along Overture – Broadway musicians
Skip forward to 3:25 for a group of Broadway musicians opening the celebrations for Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday concert with the Overture from his 1981 musical Merrily We Roll Along. It’s just what you need to get you in the mood for a two and a half hour tribute to the maestro (if you fancy watching the whole thing).
