Lockdown album to support freelance musicians released

Julian Leeks said the willingness of composers to help fellow performers for free was one of the nicest aspects of the project

An album composed and performed in lockdown to support freelance musicians whose bookings were cancelled due to Covid-19, has been released.

Bristol charity Sound World began the project when the pandemic wiped out paid working opportunities for many self-employed musicians.

Reflections features 12 original compositions performed by members of the Bristol Ensemble.

"I'm really pleased with it," said director of Sound World Julian Leeks.

Harriet Riley was among the musicians who recorded music for the album from home during lockdown

He started planning the project last March and asked 12 world-renowned composers to contribute their work for free, with the music then recorded by musicians at their own homes during lockdown.

Money raised through a Crowdfunding campaign ensured performers were paid for their work and they will also benefit from sales of the album.

Flautist Stephanie Gilbert got involved with the album after seeing everything in her diary cancelled as the country went into lockdown

"The composers put their pieces together really quickly for free, when they would normally get thousands of pounds for a composition, but this was about helping fellow performing colleagues," said Mr Leeks.

He said the unique circumstances had caused some bumps along the road but it was great to see the album released.

"Some of them had never recorded at home. They had issues like choosing the right room to perform in; like was it a room with an echo.

"There were a wide variety of recording devices used in a wide variety of locations so the sound engineer who brought it all together did an amazing job to make it sound as if they were all in the same room," added Mr Leeks.

Composer Dame Evelyn Glennie drew on her own experiences of lockdown to create The Grace of Silence for the project

He said freelance musicians were the backbone of music across the UK and that Sound World would continue to support them as the uncertainty over live events caused by the pandemic continued.

"It's very important as beyond this I think things will still be pretty tricky for freelance performers," he added.