Films and Documentaries

During the Covid-19 crisis of 2020, Timothy Henty used his unexpectedly free diary to explore other avenues through which to communicate about music. This has developed into a series of films, which can be viewed here.

Peter and the Wolf

In 2020, London Mozart Players commissioned a new film and recording of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Each individual player recorded their part in their own home.

Henty produced the recording with conductor Benjamin Pope. Henty then directed the film, which starred the families, friends and pets of LMP as the cast.

All proceeds went to #AtHomewithLMP, which raised funds and awareness for the orchestra during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Spotlight on…Education

A series of videos on behalf of the London Mozart Players presented, directed and edited by Timothy Henty for use in schools, the Spotlight On series introduces a piece of classical repertoire in five different ways, aimed at Key Stages 1-3, GCSE and A Level. The full videos can be accessed here.

 

The Grounded Conductor

The Grounded Conductor is a series of four films made for the London Mozart Players that explore, in detail, parts of a conductor’s ‘tool kit’ that are not often spoken about. These are practical considerations for the modern conductor, and all feature - and are led by - top artists and industry professionals with extensive experience in the particular field discussed.

The Grounded Conductor I

The Craft of Conducting in a Theatre

This documentary explores the practical considerations a conductor faces when conducting in a theatre. The film focusses on opera and ballet conducting, but some - if not all - elements apply to musical theatre also. Timothy Henty interviews conductors, and those who work with conductors in these environments.

Guests:

  • Sir Antonio Pappano (Music Director: The Royal Opera), Laurence Dale (Opera Director), Amy Lane (Opera Director and Artistic Director), Benjamin Pope (Ballet Conductor), Christopher Hampson (Artistic Director: Scottish Ballet), Cal McCrystal (Director)

The Grounded Conductor II

Conducting for Jazz and Pop Artists

In this episode, Timothy Henty asks what skills and considerations are needed in order to conduct, to a high standard, an orchestra who is accompanying a pop or jazz artist. The discussion ranges from the personal experiences of jazz and pop singers to the difference in musical approach required of the orchestra themselves, to working sensitively with amplified sound.

Guests:

  • Claire Martin OBE, Kim Criswell, Tony Hadley, Wayne Marshall, Mike Lovatt, Ruth Rogers, Mark Nightingale, Ralph Salmins, Dave Hoffis, Andrew Cottee.

The Grounded Conductor III

Programming and Devising Children’s Concerts

This episode focusses on the important consideration of how to programme, plan and present a concert for young people.

How does the discipline of concert planning intersect with the education system, how can an orchestra or ensemble engage with a young audience, and how can one involve young people in live music.

Guests:

  • Alasdair Malloy, Kevin Hathway and James Godfrey, with special guests for a live demonstration performance.

The Grounded Conductor IV

The ‘Great’ Conductor

In the final episode of the series, Timothy Henty asks what it takes to be a ‘great’ conductor and what lessons about music making, leadership and professionalism can be learned from those considered to be great conductors.

Guests offer personal experiences of having worked with a range of conductors, and their choices are commented on by Neil Thomson, former Head of Conducting at the Royal College of Music in London.

Guests: Sir Thomas Allen, Roderick Williams OBE, Rodney Friend MBE, Brian Pidgeon, David Corkhill.

Syncing Music ‘Live to Projection’

Timothy Henty talks about the particular skill of synchronising music to film in a live performance. In a film made for the London Mozart Players, he visits the history of synchronisation, offers his personal experiences and talks to conductor Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts.