London SE1 community website

Hundreds of saxophonists cross London Bridge into Southwark

London SE1 website team

London Bridge was filled with saxophonists on Sunday lunchtime for a special performance of The Leviathan by John Harle as part of the City of London Festival.

Richard Lee
Richard Lee, director of the Jerwood Space in Union Street, was among the participants
John Harle
John Harle conducting on London Bridge

Composer John Harle hoped to recruit 800 saxophonists for the performance of his new work (it's the 800th anniversary of the first stone London Bridge).

The musicians gathered at four of the city's historic entrances – Aldgate, Bishopsgate, Ludgate and Moorgate – and converged on the north end of London Bridge.

The piece by John Harle is said to represent the "taming of the forces of chaos by concerted, unanimous effort". Each of the four processions had their own instructions to create as chaotic a noise as possible until they reached the bridge where Harle was standing on a podium to conduct the central section of the piece.

The saxophonists were then sent on their way into Southwark playing a single note to signify unity and tranquility.

Although most of the City of London Festival takes place north of the river, there are a few events that stray into SE1 including a concert by the choir of King's College Cambridge at Southwark Cathedral and a guided walk by local author John Constable.

There will be further celebrations of London Bridge's 800th anniversary next month with the London Bridge Anniversary Fair and the London Bridge Festival.


Listen to audio
The SE1 website is supported by people like you
Related forum discussions
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.