BRIT Award nominated opera singer Camilla Kerslake stunned commuters with a moving rendition of the requiem, PieJesu, at the famous Elton John piano at St. Pancras International train station.
The bestselling soprano brought the busy station to a standstill to mark this weekend’s Day of Reflection, a day close to her heart following the death of her grandmother and uncle during the pandemic.
The UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, will lead the nation in the fourth annual Day of Reflection this Sunday 3 March, bringing people together to remember those who died during the pandemic, and to show support to those who were bereaved.
On-lookers were stopped in their tracks during the poignant performance and Kerslake urged people to pause again at midday on Sunday and observe a minute’s silence.
You can watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/917981815/eb4c544051?share=copy
“My grandma and my uncle didn’t have funerals because they died during the pandemic, and I feel there’s not been a full stop for them. There wasn’t a moment for me to pin my grief to, or a day where our family could come together to celebrate their lives. I find that hard. Reflection can come in many forms, and music in particular can be a powerful trigger for emotion and memory. To be a part of the build up to the Day of Reflection and reach people, who like me are still feeling a great sense of grief, has been an honour. I hope the public will join me on Sunday and take a minute’s silence at midday.”
Camilla Kerslake
In a recent poll, almost half of those surveyed who experienced the bereavement of a close friend, family member or acquaintance during the pandemic said they are still very much coming to terms with their grief (47%).
The surprise performance at St. Pancras International in the heart of the capital is one of several to have taken place this week across the UK ahead of the Day of Reflection.
Choirs have been conducting surprise recitals at City Hall in Belfast, Cardiff Castle and The National Wallace Monument in Stirling, to remind the public to take a moment to stop, reflect and remember the lives lost and those bereaved.
The series of performances follow new research which reveals that three quarters of adults (75%) said that music has a positive effect on the grieving process.
When asked how people most commonly take a moment to reflect when bereaved, 43%[2] of those surveyed cited ‘while listening to music’, a third (36%) said sitting quietly in reflection and 33% said visiting a location that reminds them of their loved one.
During the first wave of the pandemic, Marie Curie’s scaled up its bereavement support in response to the increased need it saw across the UK. The charity cares for people with any illness they are likely to die from. This includes dementia, motor neurone disease and advanced cancer, and its hospice and hospice care at home staff cared for people with Covid-19.
“With our fourth Day of Reflection just days away, Marie Curie is urging the nation to take a moment to remember all the people who died during the pandemic and to show support for those who are bereaved. New data has confirmed what we are seeing on the ground. The pandemic endures in the minds of people who were bereaved, and huge swathes of the public are still grieving. Please show your support for them this Sunday, and if you need help with your grief, know that Marie Curie is here for you and ready to talk.”
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive, Marie Curie
Another recent poll also revealed the UK’s top ten list of songs people associate with grief, with some of these songs being sung as part of the performances taking place up and down the country this week:
- Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
- Time To Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman
- Angels – Robbie Williams
- Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross
- Over the rainbow – Eva Cassidy
- You Raise Me Up – Westlife
- Someone Like You – Adele
- Flying Without Wings – Westlife
- Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
- Your Song – Elton John
Marie Curie has published a range of resources to support individuals and organisations wanting to observe the day, including:
- An events map at dayofreflection.org.uk to find local events and register your own
- A downloadable petal to share the name of someone you’re remembering on social media, tagging @mariecurieuk
- Bereavement support for anyone who needs it, available from the charity’s free support line (0800 090 2309)
- A special radio programme Sound Not Silence, hosted by Gaby Roslin, which will focus on the importance of music in grief and will be available to all radio stations on Sunday 3 March and at dayofreflection.org.uk following the midday silence.
The anniversary of the first UK lockdown, March 23, marked the inaugural Day of Reflection in 2021. This year it moves to the new date of March 3, in line with the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration’s recommendation. The day is held each year to remember the people who died during the pandemic, and to show support for those who were bereaved.
Public pianos were launched at St. Pancras International in 2012 when the City of London Festival celebrated its golden anniversary on a grand scale. The pianos have remained available to play ever since, with Elton John also gifting a piano to St. Pancras himself in 2016. The station has become known for regular performances from musicians, talented members of the local area, and even visitors from afar. The station’s main Arcade, which is host to the pianos, has become a hub of cultural activity over the years, creating a strong sense of community.
