Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
Yazdi Madon
During the Christmas holidays Year 8 student Yazdi Madon performed in Brussels at BOZAR, Centre for Fine Arts, where he was awarded First Prize in the 2019 International Music Competition ‘Brussels’ Grand Prize Virtuoso. Our congratulations to Yazdi.
Milton Court
We are looking forward to Sunday’s Senior Showcase recital at Milton Court, and hope that many family, friends and staff are able to attend and support the performers. The recital begins at 7:30pm, and tickets are on sale here.
Sir Simon Rattle
Purcell patron Sir Simon Rattle is receiving great critical acclaim for his role in Robert Carsen’s production of Der Rosenkavalier playing at the Metropolitan Opera. Opera Wire reported that Rattle’s direction produced ‘a wondrous tonal balance in the ensemble’ and the New York Times praised the conductor for passing the test of Der Rosenkavalier ‘triumphantly’ by conveying the drama of the piece and ‘paying insightful attention to musical details’ with his ‘feverish yet transparent conducting’.
Oliver Knussen
In December the late composer, conductor and Purcell alumnus Oliver Knussen was the subject of two tribute concerts. The first event saw the Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the direction of Susanna Mälkki, perform Flourish with Fireworks, and Leila Josefowicz master Knussen’s Violin Concerto. The second at Walt Disney Concert Hall saw Knussen’s works played by smaller ensembles, juxtaposed with pieces from some of his friends, colleagues and students.
On Sunday 1st March 2020, The Purcell School will also present a whole day of music-making at the Southbank Centre in memory of Oliver Knussen. There will be four concerts given by over 100 Purcell students, staff, alumni and guests – three daytime recitals in the Purcell Room, and an orchestral concert in the QEH in the evening. Please click on the relevant times below if you wish to purchase a ticket.
Mica Levi
Alumna and composer Mica Levi will provide the score for Janicza Bravo’s new film Zola, based on the viral Twitter thread tale about two exotic dancers, Zola and Jessica, who take a cinematically epic trip to Florida. The film premiers at Sundance Film Festival later this month.
