Annual Benefit event supports the long-term sustainability and conservation of Grace Farms
The London Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Grace Farms, October 21, 2024 (photo by Dean Kaufman)
Grace Farms celebrated its ninth anniversary with a special performance from the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Monday, October 21. 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.”
“Nine years ago, I remarked that the possibilities we could achieve here together are as open as the landscape of Grace Farms. 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,” said Sharon Prince, CEO and Founder of Grace Farms Foundation.
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. Ms. 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.
Sharon Prince, CEO and Founder, Grace Farms Foundation, David Burke, Chief Executive, London Philharmonic Orchestra, acclaimed composer Jessie Montgomery, Elena Dubinets, Artistic Director of London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Chelsea Thatcher, Founding Creative Director and Chief Strategic Officer, Grace Farms Foundation. (photo by Melani Lust).
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, designed by Studio Cooke John, which is currently on view 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.
Additional high resolution images can be found here.
