OAE Player will launch on Thursday 22 October 2020

Orchestra of the age of enlightenment

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) is to launch a digital platform, OAE Player, which will feature over thirty new music performance videos including a masterclass with Mark Padmore and solo performances by Nicola Benedetti and Alina Ibragimova. It launches on Thursday 22 October 2020.

For the first 24 hours, a select number of performances on OAE Player will be available to watch on a ‘pay-what-you-think-it’s-worth’ basis. After this day, a set price will be allocated to each video.

The OAE is keen to emphasise the distinction between their free videos on YouTube and the paid content on OAE Player. The OAE YouTube channel will remain as the Orchestra’s educational platform; viewers can learn about baroque instruments in the ‘Introducing the Instrument’ series and teachers and pupils can use the ‘Illustrated Theory of Music’ as a tool for learning the narrative behind the notes. OAE Player, however, will include longer-length concerts and performances, as well as exclusive interviews and insights with well known artists. The high definition films on OAE Player will be shot in various locations and presented as a cinematic experience, rather than a simple live stream.

Read: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment unveils new music theory videos

Watch: Bach, the Universe & Everything: The Science of Laughter

Read: Jan Vogler to launch new streaming platform DREAMSTAGE

Crispin Woodhead, OAE Chief Executive, says: ‘Arts institutions shouldn’t have to be apologetic about asking people to pay for online content. Behind the screen, there is still a group of artists working as hard as they would have for a live concert. Great music has always needed and will always need the support of its audience, from the great patrons of the past to today’s fan-base communities. We want people to look, listen, think and then decide what it is to be more than just culture surfers. Now, more than ever, musicians need committed listeners - people who have a stake in the arts they love, people who belong to the music as much as it belongs to them, people who will protect and preserve our great artistic traditions for future generations.’

Steven Devine, OAE’s Principal Keyboard who has been heavily involved in the recordings of the first few videos for OAE Player, comments: ‘As the OAE is very much a “live” orchestra we can use all the digital skills we have accumulated during lockdown to enhance our live music experience – perhaps reaching audiences who may not be able to otherwise come to our live performances.  I’m very excited that OAE Player will be adding value to everything we do in front of a live audience.’