During the month of March, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) is the performance partner for Hear Here! - the first UK-wide listening project dedicated to classical music.  The project, which aims to encourage people to explore the way they listen to music and the different factors that impact on the way we listen, is presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. 

Each month a different aspect of listening provides the starting point for a range of live performances, participatory events, features on the RSNO’s media partner Classic FM and online activities at www.hearhere.org.uk. These include contributions from musicians, writers, and world leading auditory scientists.  All aspects of listening will be examined, together with the differences between recorded and live music, and the effects of the environment, memory, emotions, vision, hearing impairment and silence.

Surrounded by Sound, the listening focus for March, looks at the environment’s impact on listening.  Many of the great works of prominent composers, including those of Felix Mendelssohn, were inspired by location.  The German composer’s visit to Scotland had a particular influence on him and as a result was inspired to compose, among others, his third symphony, the “Scottish”.  On Monday 10 March members of the RSNO and Hear Here! are asking the people of Glasgow to consider classical music performed out and about in public spaces: at Glasgow Airport, Buchanan Galleries - the city’s main retail centre, and at Scotland’s top visitor attraction, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.  In addition, the RSNO will perform the symphony at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 13 March and at the Caird Hall, Dundee on Friday 14 March.  The programme also includes MacMillan’s The Confession of Isobel Gowdie and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto performed by Classical Brit award-winner Alison Balsom.

Tom Hutchinson, Hear Here! Project Co-ordinator:
“Recent Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medallist Daniel Barenboim has made the point that ‘we now live in a culture where we are bombarded with imagery and information, and are neglecting our ears in favour of our eyes.’  By taking music out of the concert hall and into unexpected locations, Hear Here! and the RSNO are putting this view to the test.  We hope that people enjoy what they hear and take time to listen and think about the part that music plays in their lives.”

RSNO Director of Education and Audience Engagement Ellen Thomson:
“We are constantly exploring ways in which the public and our audiences get more out of the listening experience and this project is another opportunity for us to do just that. I’m sure those who come into contact with the RSNO’s music during the month of March, expected or otherwise, will tune in and enjoy the experience.”

To find out more about Hear Here! and the programmes, activities and performances over the coming months please log onto www.hearhere.org.uk.

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