Award-winning actress Patricia Routledge and international concert pianist Piers Lane tell the extraordinary story of Myra Hess and the wartime National Gallery concerts.

In Dame Myra’s own words, and in piano music associated with her, we recall how her ‘great adventure’ began - and how it continued while bombs rained down on London. This story of the healing power of music will be told in the building where it all happened, 70 years ago.

"The experience of those six and a half years was the greatest privilege any musician could hope to have. I would not have changed places with anyone in the world. If I had died the day peace was declared, I would have felt my life’s work was complete."
Myra Hess

Music will include works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin and Myra Hess’s 'Jesu, Joy of Mans’ Desiring'.

'Admission: One Shilling' has been devised by Nigel Hess. It is directed by Christopher Luscombe.

Supported by The Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation.

The foundation was set up some years ago by Ernest Hecht, one of England’s major independent book publishers, with the aim of helping the disadvantaged and promoting the advancement of the arts and education.