First performed on 15 October 2000, Hector and Harriet tells the story of Berlioz's passion for actress Harriet Smithson. It is scored for 10 LSO musicians and school orchestra, and includes 3 music compositions by primary school children which depict key moments in the French composer's life. The world premiere of Hector and Harriet in the Barbican Hall marked the culmination of a series of 24 LSO Discovery workshops with the four participating schools over a six-month period. 1,200 Key Stage 2 children will come to the Barbican Centre to take part in creative music workshops, audience participation pieces and an LSO schools concert. This scheme combines a visit to an LSO concert with a related practical composition project.
Students perform their new work before the concert to each other.
Edward Heath Assistant Animateur Hannah Conway brought the strands of group compositions together in a fantastic weaving of student pieces interspersed with movements of Appalachian Spring arranged for an ensemble of five LSO musicians. The final day ended climactically with everyone hearing the LSO's evening concert which included Copland's Appalachian Spring. Concurrently, another exciting Appalachian Spring project was taking place in Brentwood. This residency involved different LSO musicians working with three schools, and a collaboration with the Physical Recall Dance Company. Inspired by Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring ballet, the work culminated in a performance of music and dance at Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, directed by Hannah Conway and Jamie Watton.