Members may share images of the spectacular finale concert, which most of us remember as a very special event, with friends and family and on social media. However, please ALWAYS acknowledge the photographer Bill Lam, who has generously made the photos available to all Classical Sheffield members.
Message from SPC President Rachel Copley
‘Dear Friends, If, like me, you are still ‘coming down’ from the concert on Sunday, you will hopefully agree that we were involved in something very special that night. The concert proved a fitting climax in celebrating everything that had gone on throughout Sheffield during the Festival, with performances in many genres, but proving what talent there is in our part of the world. I thought that the evening’s music, with the new, original settings of the atmospheric poem, the grandeur of the Mahler, and the response from the capacity audience, proved how powerful music can be, evoking deep feelings and emotions, from performers and those listening alike. We owe huge thanks to all who contributed to the concert, and here’s to the next one! With best wishes, Rachel.’
Reviews
- Cate Jockel: ‘Just a quick message to say thank you for the complementary tickets. …I was there and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Great concert and great audience. I hope the whole weekend was as successful. … All the very best, Cate Jockel’
- Ella Taylor: ‘Congratulations again for a fantastic concert last night – it was a real joy to be a part of and I felt extremely proud to be from Sheffield. All the best, Ella!’
- Trisha Cooper: ‘What a triumph! From the original ‘I’ve got an idea’ moment to the wonderful 10thanniversary Festival, Classical Sheffield has been an outstanding success. It is now part of the fabric of musical life in Sheffield and public awareness has risen exponentially. Thank you for including me not only this year but in previous events. I’m so proud to have hosted our 2 brilliant concerts at the City Hall this weekend. The crowning glory was last night’s grand finale. Not only did we pull of the highly ambitious Mahler 2 but to have commissioned a world premiere of such quality and poignancy is really special. Please pass on my thanks to every single person who made it happen, both artistically and operationally. Onwards to next time! All best Trisha’
- Anna Harvey: ‘Thank you for such a wonderful concert last night – it was very special indeed for me to sing such glorious music in my hometown with so many friends, family and former music teachers in the audience, and I’ve been humming the melodies all the way home on my journey today! Thanks again, and all the very best, Anna’
- Ella Taylor Twitter: ‘On my way back to London after an unbelievable performance of Mahler 2 for the end of the @ClassicalSheff weekend with the combined forces of @HallamSinfonia, @SheffieldPhil, @SheffPhilChorus and @HallamChoral, fellow soloist @AnnaHarveyMezzo. Conducted fabulously by @george_conducts, Darius Battiwalla and Richard Laing. Many of you will know (and some won’t!) that Sheffield is my hometown, so coming back to sing is always special, but there was something about Sunday night that’s hard to put into words. A sold out City Hall and so many local musicians coming together to put on something this extraordinary is really quite a feat, and it’ll stay with me for a very long time. Not ashamed to say I cried at the end – what an incredibly special concert to be a part of.’
- Mason Birch: ‘Thank you for performing my piece; it was so surreal being able to finally hear my music performed live in person (rather than just some clunky computer generated mp3 file). Regards, Mason’
- Gustav Mahler Society: ‘Thank you for a wonderful evening. I was bowled over by the performance of the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra, Halllam Sinfonia and the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and Hallam Choral Society. Mahler’s Second Symphony is really challenging and I was drawn into the music as I felt that everyone had put their heart and soul into the performance, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The whole project showed how musicians and communities can pull together to produce something outstanding and the evening must have inspired a sense of real achievement for the performers and elation for [organisers] as the evening was a triumph especially after the dearth of concerts during lockdown……Best wishes … from all of us’
- Lord Lieutenant: ‘Congratulations on a spectacular evening – wow! It was an utter triumph and clear how much hard work had gone into making such a success. Well done fro bringing all that to our city, our county, it was such a special evening’
- Darius: ‘Great concert and it was good to see such a big audience!’
- Classical Sheffield Twitter: ‘What an INCREDIBLE finale to #CSCW23, the atmosphere was absolutely electric throughout – not only a sensational performance of Mahler 2 but two beautiful world premieres by Mason Birch and James Thomas, winners of the Stella Jockel Young Composer Competition!’
- Councillor Ben Miskell Twitter: ‘Last night was the finale of the Classical Sheffield Weekend #CSCW23 @ClassicalSheff. 7000 people attended events. 1000 people performed Culturally we’ve got so much to be proud of as a city. Such an amazing performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony @SheffCityHall’
- Audience member Twitter: ‘Amazing! It was opportunities like this that helped me become a professional musician. Glad to see music is still thriving in Sheffield.’
- Audience member Twitter: ‘It was a fantastic concert – thank you’
- Audience member Twitter: ‘It was thrilling to listen to! Well done all. What a night’
- Audience member Facebook: ‘Mahler 2. City Hall. Ella Taylor and Anna Harvey. Two Sheffers orchs and two Sheffers choirs. Sell out to 1,300 people. Thanks to George Morton for herding everyone through an amazing performance.’