Frances Segelman sculpts Sir Simon Rattle CBE in aid of Help Musicians
Sir Simon Rattle: “Music is one the treasures of our country”
Music is one the treasures of our country, it is one of the great industries. This is one of our greatest glories and we must look after it.
Sir Simon Rattle CBE, a long-standing Help Musicians ambassador, took to a very different stage when he was sculpted live by acclaimed artist Frances Segelman, in a fundraising event for the charity.
Speaking to the audience at the Garrison Chapel, Sir Simon Rattle commented: “Being a musician is wonderful but it’s really tough. We have to look after our musicians; we have to encourage our musicians as much as we can because we need music. It could be 5 – 10 years before we see the effect of what we just went through [the pandemic] so we all have to do a lot of tender loving care. This charity really, really helps, it has been a lifesaver to so many musicians, not even metaphorically but literally.”
Commenting on the challenges of moving online during the pandemic, Sir Simon said: “I cannot tell you what a pain it’s been playing at a distance [online] for a year and a half! We did all we could online but music is meant to be in a room with people, it’s meant to go directly backwards and forwards. Online is only second best. We’re meant to be together and we’re meant to experience music together.”
The fundraising night, which was generously hosted by Sir Jack and Lady Petchey (Frances Segelman) in aid of Help Musicians, featured an evening of art and music, including internationally renowned harpist Catrin Finch and her Ensemble performing for the audience.
Frances Segelman said: “My father was a musician, which has given me a profound sense of empathy for musicians and the financial challenges they face, especially these past couple of years. Music and art is at the core of who we all are, so I am truly delighted to highlight the work of Help Musicians by sculpting the legendary Simon Rattle — how inspiring that he has given his time in this way to show solidarity with his fellow musicians.”
The finished bust — which is being donated by Frances to Help Musicians — is the latest in her ongoing series of the great and the good, which includes Help Musicians’ Patron HM The Queen, HRH Prince Charles, Dame Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley and many more. The location, the Garrison Chapel, has been established by The Prince’s Foundation who generously granted use of the space in aid of Help Musicians.
Photography by Sophie Dunne
Image 1: Frances Segelman sculpting Sir Simon Rattle
Image 2: Help Musicians Chair, Graham Sheffield CBE, with Sir Simon Rattle and Frances Segelman