Our Monthly Tip: Tune in to Live Music Concerts Online to Connect and Uplift

Our Tip of the Month

As we head into 2021, we are all grieving in one way or another. Millions are grieving the death of a loved one. And almost all of us are grieving the loss of connection with others or the holiday traditions we’re used to.

For those who are grieving the death of a loved one, experiencing the holidays in the current COVID-isolated world can be especially tough. Seeing and hearing live music can really help to lift one’s spirits and mend the soul. (A number of studies have shown that listening to music can have positive impacts on mood, stress levels and anxiety).

Attending COVID-friendly outdoor concerts is one possibility. However, with winter upon us, a number of symphonies are turning to virtual concerts. Whether you tune in by yourself or listen to a livestream with others via Zoom, there are a number of live and recorded music concerts that you can attend.

How-To Suggestions

The website of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center features fantastic full-length high-definition concerts of archival video recordings. Many, if not all, are free, and intermissions include Q&A with the artists. Below are the live online concerts closest on the calendar; check out their Events page to see the schedule through May 2021.

The Brandenburg Concertos: Streaming until Jan. 1, 2021, as a single program. This is a collection of Bach’s six “Brandenburg” Concertos from six recent seasons’ performances, grouped into a single online program and featuring 47 artists in all.

Enchanting Serenades: Free event happening January 14, 2021, 7:30 p.m. EST, on the Enchanting Serenades page at the Chamber Music Society. The video will remain available for one week and includes the following selections:

*Dohnányi Serenade in C major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 10 (1902)
*Wolf Italian Serenade for String Quartet (1887)
*Beethoven Serenade in D major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 8 (1796–97)

Young Ideas/Parting Thought: Free event happening Jan. 21, 2021, 7:30 p.m., on the Young Ideas/Parting Thought page at Chamber Music Society. The video will remain available for one week. The program includes the following:

*Beethoven Sonata in E-flat major for Violin and Piano, Op. 12, No. 3
*Dutilleux Sonatine for Flute and Piano (1943)
*Mendelssohn Quartet in F minor for Strings, Op. 80 (1847)

The website of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London also shares a wonderful array of free online music experiences. Below are some of the live recordings that are available for just a few more months. Click here to see all online concert offerings from the Philharmonia Orchestra (some available through 2025!).

Beethoven and Vaughan Williams: Paavo Järvi conducts Beethoven’s First Symphony, and violinist Nicola Benedetti is soloist in “The Lark Ascending.” Available to watch until February 2021.

Family Concert: Presenter Lucy Drever brings the wonderful world of the orchestra to the entire family with Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst,” George Walker’s “Lyrics for Strings” and more. Watch Family Concert here until February 2021.

Mahler Symphony No. 3: In 2017, Esa-Pekka Salonen was the conductor for Mahler’s monumental Third Symphony in a video that was broadcast to a live audience of 126,000 worldwide. Recorded in 360-degree video and audio, it is truly an immersive musical experience. Watch it on the Philharmonia website here.

Listening to live music concerts can be a great comfort during these dark winter months, especially if you’re separated from people you love. Comment below to let us know if you’ve tuned in to one of the above concerts or if you know of other live music concerts online to share.