Lunchtime Concerts

A Piece of History

“I longed to throw open the doors to the very best music…and I have had the joy of seeing the importance of these concerts to many young artists starting out in their careers.” Dame Myra Hess

The Free Lunchtime Series is an integral part of the musical life of St Martin’s. The concerts continue a tradition reaching back over 60 years to the start of the Second World War and pianist Dame Myra Hess’s war effort. Hess’s series of Lunchtime Concerts held at the National Gallery occupy a central position in the history of war time London where they kept hope and the dream of life beyond war alive in the hearts of embattled Londoners. When the Board of the National Gallery closed the concerts down, the series was taken up by St Martin-in-the-Fields across the road. Since then we have developed the series to include the SMITF Organ Series (on the first Monday of each month), the New Music Series (last Tuesday of each month) in which composers are invited to submit original works for performance and the Pianists of the World series (last Friday of each month). 2010 will also see the first St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Music Competition semi-finals take place during lunchtime concerts between 19 and 23 April.

To Prospective Performers

We welcome applications for lunchtime recitals at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Thanks to our location, exceptional audience numbers and reputation, the standard at our lunchtime series is consistently very high and the competition fierce. Prospective applicants are encouraged to read the Notes to Prospective Applicants and the Application Form thoroughly before applying. These documents are available to download below.

Please note: The 2010 Lunchtime Concert Season is now fully booked. We welcome applications for the 2011 series and those accepted will also be placed on a waiting list for cancellations in 2010. For further information please email: music@smitf.org