(Above) Dame Myra Hess at the piano for one of the famous wartime recitals at the National Gallery. Image © National Gallery, London
It might seem strange in these days of myriad musical tastes and Pop Idol that at the height of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz in World War Two, war-fatigued Londoners packed themselves into the National Gallery every lunchtime to listen to Brahms, Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.
As the Gallery evacuated most of its art treasures to places of safety, the concerts, organised by the world-renowned pianist Dame Myra Hess, became an important morale booster for Londoners.
They were so popular that the Gallery's then Director, Kenneth Clark, later remarked: "I think that the National Gallery concerts will be among the things that people will remember about this war…they were the first sign we were recovering from some sort of numbness..."
Now, 70 years on and coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the National Gallery is hosting a day of musical recitals on October 5 recalling the performances. An online archive has also been launched celebrating the role of the Gallery during the Second World War.
The National Gallery suffered bomb damage during the war. Image © National Gallery, London
The mini website features photographs and reminiscences, taking visitors behind the scenes to explain how the events were brought to fruition. There are even insights into the popular canteen which functioned in the Gallery's backrooms during the war.
The fascinating story of what happened to the nation's collection of paintings in 1939 is also told with features and photographs revealing the journey of the priceless artworks and their eventual wartime home – a disused slate mine near Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Clark instigated "Picture of the Month", which returned one work of art to the walls of the National Gallery each month to give Londoners a chance to see something from the permanent collection during wartime.
But with its walls bare and London under a cultural blackout, it was the concerts that offered an opportunity for some culture as Londoners of all classes came together to be treated to recitals from some of the foremost musicians of the day.
For Myra Hess, the concerts offered a wonderful opportunity "to give spiritual solace to those who are giving all to combat the evil".
For more information see: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/myra-hess-concerts.
