Liverpool bids for prestigious music title

Liverpool has announced that it is to submit a bid to become England’s first UNESCO ‘City of music’.

The bid will be led by the City Council in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and, if won, will be a testament that will celebrate the cit's rich musical heritage.

A steering group made up of Liverpool’s music luminaries has been put together to help map its musical history and current status, eventually forming the bid itself which will be submitted in Spring 2010. The group includes the like of James Barton, founder of Cream, as well as Vasily Petrenko, Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Liverpool, home of The Beatles and world famous for its musical prowess, won a national public vote for UK’s most musical city only last year and has already been named a UNESCO World Heritage City - the awarding of this title would be a feather in the cap for Liverpool’s music culture.

Council Leader Warren Bradley, who is leading the bid, said: “Music is in Liverpool's blood and its influence has been truly global from the days of sea shanties and Merseybeat to classical and dance - it was a fundamental reason why we were European Capital of Culture.

“To be a UNESCO city of music would be a massive boost to the city's international cultural profile and give the city a focus, like in '08, to develop our music offer at all levels for the benefit of musicians and music lovers alike.''

Unlike the Capital of Culture, the title of ‘City of Music’ will not only last a year, but will be awarded indefinitely. Currently there are only four other Cities that have been awarded the title, including Glasgow and Ghent.

Vasily Petrenko, Chief Conductor at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, also forms part of the steering group, he said: ''I don't think there is any other city in England that understands the power of music more than Liverpool. It has fantastic tradition of producing great music and great musicians of every kind and is still doing it today. To be a UNESCO City of Music will really help to promote Liverpool as one of the world's music capitals."