Music in your home

By Kirstie Newton 27th November 2020

A Cornish freelance musician whose 2020 concert schedule was cancelled due to the pandemic has broadcast a series of livestream concerts live from her living room. Violinist Anna Brigham hails from St Cleer near Liskeard and now lives in South London, where she has formed the Lantivet Duo with her boyfriend, Scottish pianist and trumpeter Brendan Musk.  

Together they perform a varied repertoire covering classical, folk, world and jazz music, with influences from Eastern Europe, South America and Cornwall. The couple also compose and arrange music, including a new piece inspired by the life of Joseph Emidy - a black composer and violinist who lived in Truro and is buried in Kenwyn churchyard -  which premiered at Sterts Theatre in September.   

As a duo, Anna and Brendan have played in concert halls, theatres and for the Spanish Embassy, but they also take their music out of traditional settings and into living rooms and gardens, and are committed to challenging listeners with styles and sounds that may be unfamiliar, but in an environment where they feel welcome, comfortable and safe. 

“During lockdown, we wanted listeners who were confined to their homes to feel transported by music from all over the world,” says Anna. “Our 'pay-what-you-feel' concerts have been watched by thousands of people, many of whom have never really watched live music before. We split the profits between the musicians and a different UK charity every month; so far, we have been able to pay ourselves and our guests, as well as donating over £4,000 to charity.” 

The final concert in the programme will take place on Friday, December 5 at 7pm, and will cover a variety of styles from classical to Macedonian and Scottish folk, as well as new compositions featuring electronics and loop pedal. It will be streamed live from the duo’s website and Facebook page, with a proportion of profits going to Help Musicians UK, a charity currently supporting the many musicians who have fallen through the gaps in the government grant scheme. 

The couple plan to host another series next year. Previous performances can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook and at www.lantivetduo.com/livestream-series