The Cello Pilgrimage

2010-08-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

In 2008 Orlando Jopling started playing Bach's Suites for solo cello in parish churches to raise money for their restoration and upkeep.

He has now given over 75 recitals, in huge light-filled Wren masterpieces in city centres and in intimate and atmospheric medieval churches on remote moorland. The churches have been filled with people and have resounded to the rich tones of the cello. The enthusiasm and energy of the people putting on the concerts has meant that the concerts have collectively raised almost £47,000.

Thank you for such a beautiful recital. Everyone was just completely bowled over by your wonderful music. I have been stopped over and over in the last few days with people saying how brilliant the afternoon was.

Enid Tarbox, organisor of Orlando's recital in Peterchurch, July 2010

Orlando believes that music is an essential part of our life and would like to share as much as possible of his passion for the instrument. On the afternoon of the concert, he has often given a fun and informal 20-minute introduction to the cello in the local primary school, and he has also given masterclasses and coaching to local young cellists.

If after reading this website you would like to invite Orlando to play in your church, please send an email to info@cellopilgrimage.co.uk. To find out more about how a fundraising concert could work, please have a look at our information page.

Orlando is a cellist and conductor based in London. His biography can be read via the link on the right but briefly he has played with all of the major international orchestras based in London, and conducted several eminent groups including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra and London Mozart players. He is Principal Conductor of the 140-year-old Royal Orchestral Society and has conducted over twenty opera productions.

Upcoming concerts

2010-04-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

5/6 May 2012 Potterdale, Cumbria

Saturday 30th June 2012

Orlando conducts Holst The Planets

St John's, Smith Square, London

31st July 2012 Ruan Lanihorne

July 2012 Shotteswell, Enstone, and Norwich

September 2012 Aberaeron, Wales

6 October 2012

Orlando conducts Mozart Requiem

Stoke By Nayland Church, Essex

29 September - 7 October 2012

Orlando is artistic director of

Roman River Festival, Essex

Sunday 2nd December 2012

Orlando conducts Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky

and accompanies Piers Lane

in Rachmaninov 3rd Piano Concerto

St John's, Smith Square, London

2008-02-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

A MESSAGE FROM ORLANDO

A huge thank you to everyone who has put on the concerts so far and looked after me (and sometimes my whole family!). It was inspiring to meet you all and humbling to see the work you are putting in to keep our beautiful buildings alive for the future.

The most intensive month was July 2010; three weeks, 2,450 miles, 19 magnificent churches, almost two thousand wonderfully attentive listeners, and £13,050 raised for churches!

[please click here for details of the July 2010 tour]

2007-04-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

PREVIOUS CONCERTS

For a selection of audience reactions to the concerts, click here.

WALES

Monmouth

Aberarth

FRANCE

Louviers, Normandy

ENGLAND

CORNWALL

Ruan Lanihorne

CUMBRIA

Wythop, Cockermouth

Cartmel Priory

Lowther

DEVON

Cruwys Morchard

Ideford

Okehampton

DURHAM

Egglescliffe

ESSEX

Abberton

Aldham

Great Bardfield

Boxted

Bradwell

Fingringhoe

Great Bromley

Messing

Peldon

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Alderton

HAMPSHIRE

Fawley, near Henley-on-Thames

Fittleton

Southampton

HEREFORDSHIRE

Peterchurch

ISLE OF WIGHT

Newport

KENT

Sturry

Sittingbourne

LONDON

Pimlico

Vauxhall

NORFOLK

Redgrave

Wymondham

Briningham

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Wicken

OXFORDSHIRE

Enstone

Letcombe Basset

Somerton

Steeple Aston

RUTLAND

Langham

SOMERSET

Bridgewater

Haselbury Plucknett

SUFFOLK

Acton

Fryerning

Gestingthorpe

Needham Market

Offton

Pentlow

Stoke by Nayland

Thornham Magna and Parva

Westleton

Wormingford

SURREY

Frimley

Grayswood

Guildford

WARWICKSHIRE

Holy Trinity, Coventry

Barcheston

Brailes

Idlicote

WILTSHIRE

Broad Hinton

Chirton

WORCESTERSHIRE

Stanford-on-teme

YORKSHIRE

St Aidens, Leeds

Sharow, Ripon

Tockwith

The first concert, at St Andrew's Church in Fingringhoe, Essex (left) in December 2007, raised £1,300 for badly needed repairs to the belltower. Orlando played two complete suites, the C minor and the C major. The north wall of the church dates back to the Norman period and there is a stunning 14th century statue of St Margaret, hidden behind Victorian plaster until renovations in 1968.

The second concert raised £1,200 for the Boxted Parish Church tower appeal, in April 2008 (Orlando returned there a year later to play the remaining three Suites - the eighth concert in the series). Boxted Church (below) is one of the most charismatic and unusual churches in Essex. Light floods in through a dormer windor with diamond leaded glass, and a small Victorian gallery on slender columns at the back makes for an intimate setting The church incorporates building materials from the Saxon church of 1008, itself probably built from the ruins of Boxted's Roman Villa which was sacked by Boudicea in AD 61.

In July 2008 Orlando made a small diversion to the early Georgian splendour of Blacks club (left) in central London, where he played the C major suite to a large private dinner party which raised £1,400 for a struggling colleague in the music business.

The third (and thirty-fifth) concerts took place in the 12th-century St Michael's Church, Letcombe Bassett (below), near Wantage in Oxfordshire in August 2008 and August 2009 respectively. The concerts raised over £2,000 for repairs to the interior.

In October 2008 Orlando played the C major Suite at the National Churches Trust Annual Vice-President's evening, in St Dunstan's, Fleet Street, London (right) to launch his appeal for funds to make a recording of the Suites so that more churches can invite him to play.

The fourth concert took place in November 2008 in the grade 1 listed Offton Church, Suffolk (below). The community is continually fundraising towards the current major external repairs and damp-proofing, and £800 was raised towards the ongoing works. Orlando played the large-scale Eb major Suite for the first time, coupled with the intimate G major and soulful C minor Suites.

2009 started with a Valentines day afternoon concert in the beautiful tiny remote church at Abberton, Essex (right), which has a stunning position overlooking the vast reservoir. Orlando played to a packed audience of 60 who contributed over £500 for vital repairs.

In the middle of a tour of Europe with the Philharmonia taking in six countries, Orlando played on 7th March at Aldham near Colchester (left), raising over £1,000.

The seventh concert was on 20th March when he played at Gestingthorpe in Suffolk (below). This was a free concert with a retiring collection at which an audience of 100 raised nearly £500 for running repairs. Gestingthorpe has a spectacular double-hammerbeam roof, a beautiful large redbrick tower and is Captain Oates' family church.

On a warm spring Friday (3rd April), Orlando made his furthest trip yet, to the cathedral-like Holy Trinity in Coventry, a magnificent church with a spectacular, recently restored mural from 1435 (one of only six in Europe from that period). Despite the size of the church the acoustics were breathtaking and despite it being the first concert of its kind organised by the wardens, the concert raised over £800 towards the cost of mending the roof, which had several leaks.

Later on that month Orlando made a four-day trip to the north of England, playing in St John's Church, Sharow, in the Yorkshire Dales on 23rd April, the tiny remote Wythop Church, near Cockermouth in Cumbria on Friday 24th April, the well-known Cartmel Priory, Cumbria, set in one of the most idyllic villages in England, on 25th April, and in front of the spectacular Brsngwyn mosaic in St Aidan's Church in Leeds on Sunday 26th April 2009.

The following week Orlando played in Kent for the first time, at St Nicholas' Church, Sturry, Canterbury on Friday 1st May, and at Holy Trinity, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne on Saturday 2nd May, the same day that Radio 4 broadcast a short piece about the cello pilgrimage on PM.

The week of 4th May 2009 saw his first London performance, at St Gabriel's Church , Warwick Square (left), on Wednesday 6th May, and also concerts in Frynerning and churches around Sudbury where he played all six Suites over three concerts, bringing the total number of concerts to 20.

The week ended in Westleton, Suffolk where he played on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in the bright and airy St Mary's church.

The following week Orlando gave a masterclass to three excellent young cellists from Eggliescliffe School, and then played in St John's Church Egglescliffe, near Middlesborough in County Durham on Saturday 16th May.

On Sunday 24th May he played as part of a wonderful village festival in Peldon, Essex, and three weeks later in the Norfolk and Norwich festival in the spacious and light Victorian church at Spooner Row near Wymondham on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon 14th June 2009.

Concerts followed in Needham Market (Suffolk), St Mary's Guildford, St Lawrence (Essex), Thornham Magna and Thornham Parva (Suffolk), Great Bromley (Essex), Fawley (Buckinghamshire), Fittleton (Wiltshire), St Denys Southampton, Ruan Lanihorne (Cornwall), Stanford on Teme (Worcestershire), Letcombe Basset (Oxfordshire), St John's Sharow in the Yorkshire Dales, Great Bardfield (Essex), Grayswood (Surrey), and Messing (Essex), ending the 2009 cello pilgrimage and bringing the total to 39 concerts.

2007-04-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

Biography for programmes

Orlando Jopling's teachers include the legendary William Pleeth, Alexander Baillie and Raphael Wallfisch. He divides his time between giving recitals all over Europe and America and guesting with the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He regularly conducts the English Chamber Orchestra both in the recording studio and on the concert platform, and has also conducted the London Mozart Players, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed with Sinéad O'Connor, working with her on a version for orchestra of her latest album, and he has assisted André Previn working with the LSO, and Sir Colin Davis. His music for TV has been heard on all the major UK channels, and he is artistic director of Roman River Music.

2007-04-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

Aldham

The evening of Saturday, 7 March in Aldham Church was a time of pure enchantment. Orlando Jopling gave an unforgettable performance of Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites Nos. 1, 2 and 6, though with eyes closed, there were times it sounded more like a trio that was playing.

It was an unprecedented delight for the audience of about 90 who were also able to appreciate the superb acoustics of the church for small ensemble music. At the end of the recital, its object, namely the raising of funds for repairs to the fabric, seems a matter of little or no consequence! Nonetheless, those who did support the event will be interested to know that it raised about £1,050 for repairs. (Iain MacCullum)

Abberton

A dream come true - thank you. (Dawn Waterhouse)

Offton

Orlando’s skill on his cello was bemusing, almost entrancing. As he worked his way through three of Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites, he kept us spellbound, as though listening with all our attention to the most riveting of stories. For this, Bach primarily must of course take the credit – but it was Orlando who brought the music so vibrantly to life.

Above all, the evening was entertaining and instructive. In an undidactic way, Orlando explained the inner working of the music, so that as we listened we had some understanding of what Bach was striving for as he composed it, and this made a huge difference.

By his skill, his sheer musicality and his unassuming charm, Orlando won over even the least musical amongst us; and the icing on the cake was his enchanting pizzicato encore. I hope very much to hear him again. (local internet review)

Letcombe Bassett

What a wonderful afternoon of sublime music - thank you.

Boxted

'Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable evening. It couldn't have been more of a success.'

'I'm still basking in the glory of that magical Bach cello recital'

'Mind-blowing'

'A truly magical evening and we are still glowing with pleasure'

'A wonderful performance'

'Very moving'

Fingringhoe

Orlando has a wonderful rapport with audiences. He spoke warmly, intimately, animatedly; displaying his deep love for the music and the excitement of discovery of the weird and wonderful detail. Nearly as gifted a raconteur as musician, the conversational interludes really added to the experience of the evening, as well as giving his poor hands a much needed rest.For the music was demanding, no doubt about that. And terribly unforgiving: a single instrument, the sharp rich acoustics of the space, left every nuance of the composition and its execution exposed. In many ways the solo cello suites are Bach laid bare to essential bones – the fundamental skeleton of Baroque music laid open before our ears. They are superbly crafted, and indeed there were moments when it was simply unbelievable all that richness of sound was emerging from a single instrument.

And what an instrument it was – Orlando told us of its unique origins, with again the warmth and affection that suffused the whole evening. This is a man who loves his cello, Bach, music, Fingringhoe, life! His passion and delight is infectious, and lended a unique richness to the night.

I, for on, am very much looking forward to following this Pilgrim trailing Bach, beauty and passion with him into rural churches around England. I urge you all to join me! (Melanie Wright)

2007-04-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Suggestion for your posters and leaflets. Please use as large as writing as possible for the title, making sure the words fill the page completely.

ORLANDO JOPLING'S

CELLO PILGRIMAGE

A CONCERT FOR THE CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

Acclaimed cellist Orlando Jopling

plays Bach Cello Suites for Solo Cello in X major, X minor and X major

Choose a quote from an audience member at one of Orlando's previous concert (Click here).

'Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable evening. It couldn't have been more of a success.' / 'I'm still basking in the glory of that magical Bach cello recital''Mind-blowing''A truly magical evening and we are still glowing with pleasure''A wonderful performance''Very moving'

PHOTO IF YOU HAVE ONE

TIME & DATE
VENUE

The greatest music written for solo cello, Bach's Suites are magnificent, soulful and virtuoso. Come and enjoy their beauty, soaring among the magnificent architecture of your local church, and raise money for an excellent cause by doing so.

please picnic in the beautiful gardens at XXXXX and enjoy a pudding of strawberries and cream in the interval / followed by tea and cake (if on a Sunday morning) / wine and nibbles /

Tickets in advance £XXXX from XXXXX

www.cellopilgrimage.co.uk

2006-04-20T03:15:00.000-07:00

THE JULY TOUR - 19 concerts in 3 weeks!

Friday 2nd July, 7.30pm

St Peter's, Vauxhall, London

310 Kennington Lane MAP
FREE ADMISSION with retiring collection

Saturday 3rd July Frimley, Surrey

Sunday 4th July at 4pm, Peterchurch, Herefordshire

Tuesday 6th July 7.30pm

Cruwys Morchard, Devon (left)

MAP Box office 01363 866 033

Wednesday 7th July 7.30pm

Okehampton, Devon

Thursday 8th July Ruan Lanihorne, Cornwall

Friday 9th July Ideford, Devon (R)

Saturday 10th July

Haselbury Plucknett near Crewkerne, Somerset

5pm Sunday 11th July Newport, Isle of Wight

Wednesday 14th July Alderton, Gloucestershire

Thursday 15th July Broad Hinton, Wiltshire

Saturday 17th July Monmouth

Sunday 18th July Aberarth, Aberaeron, Wales (right)

Tuesday 20th July Tockwith, Yorkshire

21st July 7.30pm

St Michael's, Lowther

Cumbria CA10 2HG

Tickets from Cheryl Redhead 01931 712577

Cheryl.redhead@lowther.co.uk

22nd July 7.30pm

St James' Church, Whitehaven, Cumbria MAP

Tickets £8 including refreshments from Kath Burns 01946 695 802
bk.burns - at - tiscali.co.uk

7.30pm 24th July

Stoke By Nayland, Essex

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic to have before the concert and will be offered a pudding of berries and cream during the interval.

Please phone 01206 262 659 for more information.

2002-07-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

If you would like to join our mailing list, please send an email to info@cellopilgrimage.co.uk

We will write to you with news from the cello pilgrimage no more than once every three months.

We will of course never pass your email address on to anybody!

2000-09-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

You can pre-order the CD by sending your address details and a cheque for the discounted price of £15 made payable to Orlando Jopling's Cello Pilgrimage, to 16 Hengrave Road Se23 3NW. We will send you a CD with free P&P.

2000-05-06T02:37:00.000-07:00

SUGGESTED TEXT FOR PRESS RELEASE

RENOWNED CELLIST TO VISIT
XXXXXXX CHURCH

Internationally known cellist Orlando Jopling will visit St Saint’s Name church, Village Name on (time, date) as part of his ‘Cello Pilgrimage’, raising money for the restoration and renovation of parish churches by filling them with the sound of Bach's cello suites.

'I'm still basking in the glory of that magical Bach cello recital'

In between composing for theatre and television and conducting the Royal Philharmonic and English Chamber Orchestra, 38-year-old Orlando Jopling is returning to his first love, the cello.

'A truly magical evening and we are still glowing with pleasure'

Having studied under William Pleeth and Steven Isserlis, Orlando has given recitals in Europe, the US and India, played chamber music with leading British musicians and performed as part of the cello section of the Philharmonia, London Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

‘Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable evening. It couldn't have been more of a success.’

Embarking on a long-held dream, he is spending a part of his time performing the Bach suites, hoping to help re-invigorate churches as community gathering places, and raising money for the restoration of their fabric.

So far he has raised over £30,000 and aims to raise £50,000 by the end of this year.

Please contact XXXXXXXXXXX for more information on the recital or ruth.paton@mac.com to organise an interview with Orlando Jopling. Please also look at the website below for more information.

“I, for one, am very much looking forward to following this Pilgrim trailing Bach, beauty and passion with him into parish churches around England. I urge you all to join me!”

(comments from audience members at Orlando Jopling Bach concerts)

www.cellopilgrimage.co.uk

1999-05-09T05:47:00.000-07:00

Your letter inviting people to the concert could go something like this:

St Saint’s Name Church, Village/Town

We are delighted to announce that renowned cellist Orlando Jopling is coming to our village/town to give a concert on DATE as part of his journey round England playing Bach’s virtuoso and expressive Suites for solo cello.

This is a rare opportunity to hear a top-class musician on our doorstep, and to hear these beautiful works in the perfect acoustic, which allows the music to achieve its fullest expression.

With our atmospheric church candlelit and the music soaring among the arches, it will be an unforgettable evening in its own right – but the concert will also raise much-needed money to restore our ancient church building.

Wine and nibbles are included in the ticket price, so come early and enjoy the social occasion. Orlando is playing for a nominal sum to cover his expenses, so the tickets cost much less than they would normally. So why not take advantage of the opportunity to entertain a group of your friends? We’d like as many parties as possible, so to encourage you we will give you two further tickets for free if you order six, saving you £30.

Here are some of the audience comments from Orlando’s previous Bach concerts.

'What a wonderful afternoon of sublime music - thank you.'
'Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable evening. It couldn't have been more of a success.'
'I'm still basking in the glory of that magical Bach cello recital'
'Mind-blowing'
'A truly magical evening and we are still glowing with pleasure'
'A wonderful performance'
'Very moving'

Please tear off the booking form at the bottom of this letter and return it to Name Surname, Address. Orlando’s concerts usually sell out so we advise early booking.

Thank you so much for your support and we look forward to seeing you on the Date.

Name, Church

………………………………………………………………………………………….

BOOKING FORM

q This sounds like a lovely evening and I’d love to join you. Please send me …. tickets @ £15 each, which includes delicious wine and home-made nibbles (remember 8 tickets will only cost £90)

q I’d also like to add an extra donation towards the restoration fund. I am a UK taxpayer so please reclaim the income tax I have paid on this amount using the gift-aid scheme.

I enclose a cheque for £……………

q I’m really sorry to say that I am busy that evening, but I appreciate our beautiful church building and would like to do my bit to help the restoration fund, so I enclose a cheque for £……… I am a UK taxpayer so please reclaim the income tax I have paid using the gift-aid scheme.

Please return to: Name Surname Address Postcode