Rachel Rowntree

The atmosphere is quietly concentrated; the blend in the sound breathtaking for a group that has only been working together a few months. As with any professional ensemble they set about tackling the challenges posed by each work. Articulation in an extract of Mozart, sustain and decay in Rachmaninov, and assuring tricky entries in a piece by Gerswhin. However, this is no usual ensemble. All the members of BSO Resound have a disability.

The project is funded entirely by the Budget Participatif and as the Ville de Paris explains: “it is a project ‘Tout Paris’, meaning it is not localised to certain areas, and that has allowed us to deploy the project in libraries across the city.” Since November 2019, musical instruments are available at the bibliothèque Buffon (5e), and the médiathèques Hélène Berr (12e), Marguerite Yourcenar (15e) and Marguerite Duras (20e).

In the heart of London’s West End, where many of the country’s finest musicians come to work every night performing in musicals, opera houses, theatres and concert halls is found the home of the Association of British Orchestras. Mark Pemberton, Director, explains how "in order to reinforce the problems that Brexit poses for our sector" they employ the services of a public relations company to set up meetings with MP’s, Civil Servants and Special Advisors.