Finding ‘freedom to roam’ during the pandemic – Gramophone

The classical, folk and world-music flautist Eliza Marshall is touring her Rhythms of Migration album this month

March 14, 2020: I remember gazing out at a packed Lyceum Theatre, to a sold-out show of The Lion King, while at the same time reading about Broadway closing down. Two days later, the West End went dark. Who could have predicted what was to come?

But from challenging times, new shoots can grow. What is it that we as artists are able to express through our music? What opportunities are there during a time like this? Many of us have had to quickly adapt over the last two years; never has the power of music and art seemed so needed and worthy, and yet so bleak and out of reach. As we see venues reopening, and people venturing out, now seems like a poignant time to launch a project that was crafted during lockdown. Born three years ago as a concept of film, music and visual art, Freedom To Roam represents hugely important topics climate change, migration, rewilding, empathy and human displacement.

At a time when we are inundated by depressing news, this project, which I initiated in 2018 during a visit to Coll, the inner Hebridean island, has allowed us to look for compassion, hope and potential. We recorded the album, called The Rhythms of Migration, in Wales late last year with a group of outstanding musicians including the harpist Catrin Finch, the multi-instrumentalist Dnal Rogers and the leader of Britten Sinfonia Jackie Shave, each of whom also composed original tracks for the recording. My own tracks feature, too, and I play flutes, whistles and Indian bansuri. Along with other musicians including Kuljit Bhamra on tabla and Joby Burgess on percussion, we created a fusion of African, Celtic and Indian sounds, which Gramophones sister title Songlines described in its recent review as inspirational and thought-provoking.

The project is threefold, consisting of not only the album but also a documentary Connected, by award-winning director Nicholas Jones, which premiered at Cecil Sharp House in December and a touring concert. Each concert begins with a screening of the film, after which we perform The Rhythms of Migration in its entirety, accompanied by stunning visual art from Amelia Kosminsky.

What is the point of being alive if we arent helping each other? asks Claire Keegan in her book Small Things Like These. From little acorns grow mighty oaks.

Freedom to Roamhas received support from Arts Council UK, Kickstarter Campaign and The Royal Philharmonic Society. The spring tour runs until March 2 click here for more information. Eliza spoke toGramophoneabout collaborating on a new ballet with Joby Talbot read the article here

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Finding 'freedom to roam' during the pandemic - Gramophone