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Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!

Tristan Vermeulen

On 15th November Year 11 pianist Tristan Vermeulen will be performing Rachmaninov as part of The North London Festival of Music, Speech and Drama’s centenary celebrations. The concert will showcase performances from some of the country’s most promising young artists, and play tribute to the Festival’s past, present and future. Tickets are on sale now and available here.

Bethany Caswell

Over the weekend, Upper Sixth harpist Bethany Caswell competed in the first two rounds of the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year competition. She won her first round on Saturday, and then competed in a hotly contested Strings final on Saturday which she subsequently won. Bethany is now through to the overall final in five weeks’ time.

Yinong Xiao

Year 11 violinist Yinong Xiao competed in the 54th Annual Maidenhead festival of Music and Dance over the weekend. Yinong took 2nd place in his category.

Iohan Coman

Upper Sixth violinist Iohan Coman recently performed the Wieniwaski Violin Concerto No.1 with the Welwyn Garden City Orchestra. Of the score and in praise of the Iohan’s performance, the conductor James Ross said ‘Even by the standards of many virtuoso concertos, its demands are huge, and you [Iohan] certainly rose to these . . . It was a pleasure to make music with you [Iohan] and to have the opportunity to perform this magnificent work.’

Halloween ‘House’ Fun

No Halloween celebration is complete without some fun pumpkin carvings, and the houses of Graham and Gardner fully embraced the spooky spirit last weekend with an evening of Jack-o’-Lantern creation, terrifying treats and a fiendish film.

Dame Kiri Te Kawana

Auckland’s Aotea Centre ASB Theatre will soon be called Kiri Te Kawana Theatre after the world renowned soprano and Purcell patron. The facility’s new name we be launched on 20th November with a gala concert featuring Dame Kiri Te Kawana, the Auckland Philharmonia and several rising opera stars.

Mica Levi

Alejandro Landes’ Monos has won Best Film Award at the BFI London Film Festival 2019, with praise also being bestowed upon alumna Mica Levi’s ‘visceral score’. Wash Westmoreland, the Official Competition President, said ‘Monos is a stunning cinematic achievement; marrying dynamic visuals, faultless performances and ground breaking storytelling. It’s a masterpiece!’.

Julian Bliss

Alumnus Julian Bliss made his debut at the 2019 Minnesota Beethoven Festival this summer, with pianist Bradley Moore. Classical MPR have just released their recording of the concert here.

Catrin Finch

Harpist and Purcell alumna Catrin Finch and her collaborator Seckou Keita have won Best Duo/Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.