Classical Relief for Haiti brings together 23 UK artists in fundraising download
Those of us on this side of the Pond may not recognize as "classical" all of the artists who have made "Classical Relief for Haiti," but the sincerity behind their efforts is beyond question.
Among the UK performers are cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, tenor Paul Potts (a reality-show sensation before Susan Boyle), the Priests (often featured in PBS pledge-time programming) and percussionist Evelyn Glennie, not to mention the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
This "We Are The World"-type fundraiser to benefit Haitian relief efforts is a performance of "The Prayer," a pop ballad recorded orginally by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Although the Web info on obtaining a copy of the recording says the CD version is for delivery to UK addresses only, I imagine that the downloadable version would be obtainable by anyone.
Here's the video:
Comments
I hope the fundraisers do better than the Carnegie Hall production with Lang Lang and Christoph Eschenbach. The New York Times and the union stagehands stood to make more than the Haitians.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/arts/music/18benefit.html?ref=music
Posted by: Paul | March 29, 2010 4:01 PM
Whoa, that Times article made my head spin!!! (Of course, I'm reading this at 08:00, and I'm _not_ a morning person.)
While UNICEF may appreciate the "raised profile," one does have to laugh at the projected "cold, hard cash" total. This is a case of putting your mouth where the money should be. All interested parties should have saved themselves the cost of going to Carnegie Hall for this concert (not to mention renting it!) and donated all anticipated expenses (including ticket costs) directly to an earthquake-relief charity.
"Profile raiser" my foot! This is more like a case of "trickle-down" economics. Ad space in the NYT would have worked just as well on a bad day. And "Classical Relief For Haiti" is a MUCH better idea from stem to stern.
Posted by: Doug Halfen | March 30, 2010 8:23 AM