London Philharmonic Performs At Grace Farms In New Canaan

Information via Grace Farms

NEW CANAAN, CT — Grace Farms celebrated its ninth anniversary on Oct. 21, 2024, with a special performance from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Led by 2023-24 Fellow Conductor Luis Castillo-Briceño, with 31 world-class musicians, the orchestra's performance explored Grace Farms and the LPO's respective themes of "architecture moves us" and "moments remembered," according to a news release provided by Grace Farms.

"Nine years ago, I remarked that the possibilities we could achieve here together are as open as the landscape of Grace Farms," Sharon Prince, CEO and founder of Grace Farms Foundation, said in a news release. "Tonight's contribution to our history and our future by the London Philharmonic Orchestra demonstrates that this is remarkably coming to pass. We are honored to welcome one of the world's greatest orchestras to Grace Farms."

The program, performed in the sanctuary of Grace Farms' River building featured "Le Tombeau de Couperin" by Ravel, "Strum" by Jessie Montgomery and "Symphony No. 40" by Mozart.

Montgomery attended the performance and provided remarks introducing her piece. The performance concluded with an encore of "Salut d'Amour" by Edward Elgar (orchestral version) receiving an extended standing ovation.

The event marks the third collaboration between Grace Farms and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which was initialized by Chelsea Thatcher, Grace Farms Foundation's founding creative director and chief strategic officer, who also gave inspiring closing remarks at the evening's performance.

This collaboration continues today. An 18-minute recording played by an LPO quartet is featured in the Design for Freedom exhibit "With Every Fiber," which is currently on display at Grace Farm's West Barn.

Guests at the benefit had the opportunity to visit the exhibit, which educates visitors about Design for Freedom's global movement to unveil and eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

The music was initially performed in London on June 12, 2022, UN World Day Against Child Labor, inside the 2022 Serpentine Pavilion—Black Chapel by Theaster Gates, a Design for Freedom Pilot Project.

Grace Farms Foundation's annual benefit supports the long-term sustainability of Grace Farms, the conservation of its 80 acres of landscapes and the development of inter-generational programming.

Following the performance, guests celebrated at a reception to toast Grace Farms' accomplishments over the last nine years.