Thursday 23rd July
The Orchestra That Fell To Earth
The Orchestra That Fell to Earth is led by original members of the iconic Penguin Cafe Orchestra and performs the beautiful and seminal music they created with Simon Jeffes and the PCO.
The Penguin Café Orchestra first appeared in 1976 and subsequently performed and recorded extensively throughout the 1980s and ’90s. Pieces such as Music for a Found Harmonium and Telephone and Rubber Band became well known through their use in film soundtracks and advertisements.
Sadly, the band's founder, Simon Jeffes, died in 1997. For ten years the band played only privately, but returned in 2007 for three sold-out concerts at London's Union Chapel. The Orchestra That Fell To Earth, comprising a core group of original members, came together after those concerts and continues to perform the music in the same spirit.
Geoffrey Richardson, Jennifer Maidman and Annie Whitehead all recorded and toured extensively with the original Penguins. Percussionist Liam Genockey, well known for his work with Steeleye Span, also performed with the original band. They are joined by renowned keyboardist and sound designer Alastair Gavin.