​An inspiring pupil-led initiative, The Well-Tempered Concert: Bach Reimagined, took place at The Purcell School on 1st May 2017.

Sixth Former, Joe Parks, worked tirelessly to arrange all of Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues (Book 1) for different instrument combinations, and was supported generously by seventeen of his talented and dedicated peers who performed in the concert alongside him. Members of staff, students and Joe’s family who were in attendance recognised the brilliance of his undertaking.

The concert was colourful, varied and meticulously organised from start to finish. It was especially interesting to see how Bach’s keyboard works translated themselves to the timbres and technical characteristics of different instruments. The players found the pieces exciting yet challenging to rehearse, and their efforts were greatly admired by the modest but very appreciative audience.

Ms Cox, Head of Composition, and Mr Hathway, Head of Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Voice and Harp, were both thoroughly impressed with Joe’s effort and expressed their enthusiasm suggesting that the works ‘deserve further performance’ and hope that ‘musicians from around the world hear about this project’.

Rehearsals of The Well Tempered Concert: Bach Reimagined