Inspired by Sarah Howe’s poem To all laments and purposes, this evocative 20-minute programme of live streamed solo cello invites listeners to share their lockdown experiences.

There will be music by Bach, contemporary British composers Charlotte Bray and Sally Beamish, and traditional folk songs arranged for cello. Join us and share your experiences of lockdown.

Cellist Ursula Smith has been active as a professional musician for over 30 years. She has a varied career in chamber music (Zehetmair String Quartet – one of the few quartets in the world to play from memory), in orchestral playing (10 years as Principal Cello of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra), and as a solo player (she commissioned the Beamish piece that she is playing in this programme). She has performed in some of the world’s major venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and Berlin Philharmonie. She is currently a cello professor and Senior Tutor in Chamber Music at Guildhall School.

This online event is part of Make + Create Breaks: a summer season of Instagram Live sessions featuring creative work from Guildhall School staff, students and alumni.