Musical connections at the Cadogan
Music has always important to the Charlie Waller Trust, bringing people together and helping us raise funds for our vital work. There’s a strong positive connection between music and mental health, both through listening to it and also through singing or playing an instrument, particularly in a group.
Our musical highlight this year will be a performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor at the Cadogan Hall, London, on Wednesday 22 April.
We are delighted to return to this beautiful venue with Vox Cordis choir, who have performed for us many times under the baton of longstanding supporter Charlie Grace. They are joined by the Aurum Vocale Instrumental Collective and five outstanding soloists.
Supreme achievement
The Mass in B Minor is a phenomenal work, widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. We asked Charlie for his thoughts on it. He said: “My son Oliver and I have been discussing this project for a long time, and we came to the conclusion that the piece is so majestic that Bach is able to explore throughout the entire piece the human emotions involved in every possible form. For us personally, learning the piece is very uplifting and reminds us of a quote from Pope Leo XIV: ‘Music is a bridge that leads us to God.’”
Music as a bridge, as a way of feeling connected, is key. Charlie says: “Very frequently I hear people talk about music being able to describe what can’t be put into words. I find that incredibly powerful and it has a significant impact for those who have full-on days at work or in life in general.
"Having done numerous concerts and carols services for this incredible charity, I always have this sense that music builds a bridge between people and their wellbeing, and this is precisely why music is the greatest form of art that connects people together.”
Music for life
Music can be a way to help us through tough periods of our lives and to celebrate the good times. In fact, evidence suggests that music can promote mental health across the lifespan – from pre-natal development to the challenges of ageing, impacting cognitive, emotional, physical and social wellbeing.
We asked each of the highly esteemed soloists who’ll be performing at the Cadogan what music means for their wellbeing.
Julia Doyle is a soprano who specialises in the baroque repertoire and performs across the world. She says: “Music is balm for the soul; it allows us to unlock emotions, feelings and memories deep inside us, which words alone cannot access. Whether you need a dose of comfort, inspiration, reflection, unbridled joy, or an irresistible urge to get up and dance, the B Minor Mass has it all. Which is why it's one of my favourite pieces in the whole world!”
Hilary Cronin, also an outstanding performer of baroque music, won First Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2021 London Handel International Singing Competition.
She told us: “Music and wellbeing are intrinsically linked both for those making the music and for those listening to it.
"Sitting in your assigned seat in a room full of strangers and letting the music guide your thoughts is so often the tonic I need. As a performer, music allows me to fully be myself, allowing me to express or interact with the world in a way that words can't quite manage.”
Helen Charlston, a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist (2021-23), is known for the deep connection she forms with the audience. She makes a direct connection between singing and emotional wellbeing: “As a singer, I have occasionally experienced a wonderfully uplifting feeling of emotional release during a performance, often leaving me with reduced anxiety. I have also witnessed firsthand the hugely significant way that singing with others tends to offer a sense of togetherness and shared joy.”
Photo: Matthew Johnson
Jeremy Budd started as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and, as a treble, made many highly acclaimed recordings. As a tenor, he is much in demand, particularly in the field of baroque music. He says:
“Music is one of the easiest ways to make me feel better because it’s an instant hit.
"If I’m stressed, a calm song slows me down. If I'm sad, a relatable lyric makes me feel understood and a fast upbeat number can help me feel happy and put a smile on my and other people’s faces. Music is both great on your own or to share with others. It’s about connection; when the right song plays, you just feel better!”
William Townend has worked with several opera companies as well as appearing on the concert stage, and was winner of the English Song Prize at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He gave us this moving insight: “We listen to different types of music either to motivate us or to calm us down. Music has always been there for me in a wellbeing sense even without realising it. One of my strongest memories is of a rehearsal, rather than a concert, just after the Covid lockdown. Singing together had been taken away and then it was given back to us. It was an incredibly powerful and profound moment.”
Please come along!
We do hope that you can join us for this wonderful evening of music. We’ll leave the last word of recommendation to David Clegg, artistic consultant for the event:
“Bach's B Minor Mass has it all. It offers a profound, meditative and cathartic aural experience, which can both calm the mind and uplift the spirit.”
