Classical music IS for everyone. At least, that's what I try to believe when going out on stage. There are few so satisfying comments to receive after a concert than hearing how relevant the music felt, or that never before had it seemed possible to understand what it was all about! There does, for whatever reasons, seem to be an ongoing feeling with those who I talk to on the subject - taxi drivers, hairdressers or even in the BANK ! – that classical music is either far too cerebral to understand or that it is just some (rather boring) music to be relaxed to, ideally after work with a glass of sherry. Carrying a cello certainly seems to invite conversation, and I can't help then but to ask people's opinions about classical music. I have always wondered why classical music is so often viewed in this way and whether there is anything that can be done to try to change this.

I firmly believe that our appreciation of music is strengthened when we understand better what led the composers to write it. I love concerts where I leave uplifted and in a world of peaceful and solitary inspiration, but I also believe that there is a place for a more interactive concert.

As long as the music always takes centre stage, taking the audience on a journey which also includes readings from letters, narrative and visual images, can be extremely powerful. An audience member once said 'I didn't think that I would be able to relate to all that clever music and I didn't think that I had anything in common with it.' As much as I would wish to take credit for this comment, after an orchestral performance of Beneath the Score, I believe that it actually reveals a far more fundamental point. Classical music has the power to connect with far more people than it currently does.

The London Concorde Ensamble

Now recognised as a leading international ensemble, London Conchord Ensemble recently celebrated its 10th Birthday

The ensemble was founded by principal players from the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera House, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and has won an international following with its fresh, communicative style. Recent highlights include appearances at the Cheltenham Festival, BBC lunchtime series at the Wigmore Hall and the Proms Chamber Series. In 2015, the ensemble will launch the first year of its own chamber music festival at Rathfinny Vineyard, East Sussex, from 12-14 June.