City of London Sinfonia asks you to get CLoSer

The City of London Sinfonia's alternative concert series, CLoSeR, returns for three concerts this season. On 23 October they will be screening the 1929 silent film, The New Bablylon with Shostakovich's jazz-influenced score for the film played love by the City of London Sinfonia, conducted by Hugh Brunt. Then on Wednesday 12 February 2013 they celebrate Valentine's Day early, with a programme of alternative lovee songs from soprano Elin Manahan Thomas and singer/songwriter Mara Carlyle. Finally, on Wednesday 23 April, clarinettist Michael Collins and City of london Sinfonia Principal players perform Messiaen's masterpiece Quartet for the End of Time, written when the composer was in a concentration camp.

CLoSer takes place in the Village Undeground in Shoreditch, with some imaginative programmes presented in more casual surroundings, with a chance to get far closer to the musicians and feel less confined than in a formal concert setting. Tickets are £15, students and 16 to 25 year olds get in for £5. Further information from the City of Sinfonia website, booking information for all three concerts from the Spitalfields Music website.