Thursday 21 June, 7pm
St Giles-without-Cripplegate
Storm and Refuge
Audience Reviews
June 2024: Love's Labours
“The acoustics in St Giles Cripplegate are fabulous, making the whole lunchtime concert a wonderful interlude in a busy world. I could have happily listened to the Tier3 Trio for the rest of the day.”
“Wow, what an amazing programme to play all 8 perfect pieces without an interval break! We’ve seen Viv McLean play before and he’s just great and communicates with the audience so well. FOH were very welcoming and helpful.”
“This was the sixth concert of the Summer Music in City Churches series I had attended. The performance was outstanding with music that complemented the Rhapsody in Blue theme. The venue was unique and the event well organised. I loved being close to the performer. It was a warm and welcoming environment. I will miss these concerts now the event has come to an end.”
“David Greco’s baritone voice is heavenly and his seamless performance of Franz Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin completely mesmerising. I have heard this before but never as superb and faultless as today. The acoustics in St Giles are excellent. I was riveted by this performance…and bereft when it was over! Thank you to everyone.”
“A beautiful way to spend a lunchtime with romantic music from a most accomplished quartet in a lovely church in the midst of the Barbican complex. A perfect hour of life enrichment.” [Brother Tree Sound]
“Tango in a London church dating from the 11th century? It didn’t seem likely. The result as it transpired was utterly and completely compelling.”
“The Curve is a great diverse ensemble with clearly space for all kinds of experience.”
“I always look forward to the summer music programme in this lovely church: a touch of (beautifully restored) history in the heart of the Barbican complex. I hadn’t heard a full orchestra here before and was pleasantly surprised at the rich acoustics. A front-pew seat ensured an unrivalled up-close view of the soloist and string section.” [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays Finzi, Chopin and Mendelssohn]
“A delicious collection of romantic pieces from the great American song book plus a splash of English compositions all brilliantly played by this classy, virtuoso trio.” [Art Deco Trio: A Fine Romance]
“A fantastic concert. I knew none of the music that was performed but the interesting and insightful explanations before each piece made them more accessible and enjoyable. The musicians’ passion for the works infused both their playing and the audience.” [Last Tango in London]
“Outstanding performance in the setting of a historic and beautiful church. The violinist was mesmerising.” [Archangel: A Foray into Fauré]
“This mixed chamber choir of young singers was excellent, performing Shakespeare settings by contemporary British composers. Their voices soared high above us, with beautiful pitch and clarity. We thoroughly enjoyed it.” ['My true love said...' - Shakespeare in Song]
“Well done to the team that put the whole series of concerts together.”
“This high-quality series of concerts is certainly one to look out for.”
June 2023: Legends & Heroes
“The RPO can fill big concert halls but they were sensitive to the beautiful church location and were brilliant.”
“As always the event organisers were efficient and helpful, and the Summer Music in City Churches programme is an annual treat for Londoners.”
“The Art Deco Trio were brilliant and joyously entertaining. Lots of known tunes that were altered from classic to jazz with new jazzed up names, such imaginative fun.”
“Stephen Farr is a wonderful performer with excellent technique and the venue was absolutely perfect for the quieter sound of the harpsichord.”
“The event was so well organised with drinks available in the interval and a free comprehensive programme of all the Summer Music events including a brief history of the venues where they were taking place.”*
“Summer Music in City Churches is a welcome annual event for those of us who remember the old City of London Festival held in iconic City locations from the 1960s to 2016.”
June 2022: English Rhapsody
“I was impressed with the smooth organisation and polite and friendly disposition of the staff members.”
“It left me with a whole new perspective on Chopin and memories of seeing a real virtuoso and communicator doing something that means so much to him.”
“The Royal Philharmonic Brass concert was more than brilliant, such a talented quintet who more than complemented the beautiful and acoustically perfect venue of St Stephen Walbrook church.”
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear one of my favourite pieces being performed live for the first time. I am also very grateful to the organisers accommodating my seating request due to my physical disability.”
“Female composers were prominent in the programme.”
“I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. What more can I say?”
June 2021: Sunshine After Rain
“Deep respect to the organisers of this festival for forging ahead with their plans against the odds. This was a superb evening of lush English string music from the brilliant London Mozart Players.”
“What a joyful way to resume live performance! The Summer String Serenade, showcasing some of the best-known English composers, benefited from the beautiful setting and acoustic of St Giles Cripplegate…”
“Delightful performance in a beautiful setting, warm and welcoming staff, well organised and socially distanced seating arrangements.”
“I was transported out of my post lockdown dullness into a sparkling world of wonders.”
“The highlight was undoubtedly the performance of Vaughan Williams’ song cycle On Wenlock Edge, which was accompanied by an exquisite shadow puppet animation.”
“I enjoyed the mixed programme of old, really old and new.”
“Exquisite piece selection…inspiring and uplifting.”