Page 16 - Final_RPS Awards 2020 Media Coverage Book

listeners alike, to be in the same room together. What we may do individually over the internet in

these months is all well and good, but the living core of our work is a live communion, a sharing of
space, art and emotion which is both vital and healing.’

They also draw attention to the inability to properly nurture the young generation of musicians -
something best done, of course, through playing music together. Specifically addressing the

difficult financial situation many artists find themselves in, they added: 'Currently many freelancers
fall between the cracks of the government’s self-employment schemes. We need to find a way to

sustain some kind of backbone of income so that we will eventually be able to play whenever that
will be possible. At the most basic level, despite all appearances to the contrary, musicians are

humans. They need to eat and pay their bills.'

Elder and Rattle are not alone among leading classical music figures in drawing attention to the

crisis in recent days, and to the need for a solution. ‘Times like these remind us how much we
need music,’ said John Gilhooly, Wigmore Hall Director and Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic

Society, when announcing the opening of nominations for the RPS Awards last week. ‘Right now it
gives us a sense of hope, adventure and limitless horizons which confinement otherwise denies

us. But we risk losing so much of it without greater recognition of its worth and greater government
support. Other nations are recognising this, and we must too.'

There are signs an announcement of some kind may not be far away. In an interview with
London's Evening Standard on Monday, it was revealed that the Secretary of State for Culture,

Media and Sport Oliver Dowden - who encouragingly offered Elgar, Mahler and Wagner when
asked about his musical tastes - was engaged in 'intricate discussions' with the Treasury to

support struggling arts organisations. 'Of course I want to get the money flowing...I am not going to
let anyone down', he said. He added, however, that 'Not everyone is going to be happy with

whatever comes up. I’m going to have to ask institutions to take difficult decisions'.

The UK classical music sector will be awaiting for the outcome with nervousness, and need.