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

Purcell Perform In Memory of Oliver Knussen

Last Sunday the School presented a whole day of stunning music-making at the Southbank Centre in memory of the great contemporary composer and alumnus Oliver Knussen. Four ambitious concerts were given by over 100 Purcell students, staff, alumni and guests – three daytime recitals in the Purcell Room, and an orchestral event in the QEH in the evening.

Purcell’s Director of Music, Paul Hoskins, thanked all students and staff who took part in this momentous event, which he described as ‘a remarkable achievement on many levels’. He made particular mention of the performers and composers who ‘excelled not just as musicians, but in general attitude and commitment’.

A full article with accompanying photographs and videography of the event will be published on the School’s website shortly. Please watch this space!
 

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020 Category Finalist

Year 12 percussionist Lewis Isaacs has made it through to the Category Finals of the BBC Young Musician Competition 2020, which will take place on 11th March at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. We are delighted for Lewis, and wish him enormous luck. Tickets for the Percussion Category Final are available here.
 

Gardner House

In the run up to last Sunday’s series of performances, the house parents of Gardner House provided the perfect fuel for their boarders. Lower Sixth student Jonathan Knight had the following to say of the weekend’s culinary delights!

‘On Friday and Saturday 28th and 29th February, after a day of long rehearsals, students in Gardner House were greeted with lovely cake, pizza and squash. The cake and pizza was Costco’s finest – beautifully formed crusts and a sapid flavour – welcomed with laudation from all.

Not only were the whole house fed admirably by this worthy feast; there was plenty left to stock the Gardner House common room for days after. Once again a great triumph for the Gardner house team.’ Jonathan Knight
 

Anna-Liisa Bezrodny

Violinist and Purcell instrumental teacher Anna-Liisa Bezrodny will be performing Beethoven’s Sonatas in Oxford’s Holywell Music Room on 7th March, and the Sibelius Concerto in the Sheldonian Theatre on 12th March. Tickets are available for the Beethoven recital here, and the Sibelius Concerto here.

Anna-Liisa Bezrodny will also be live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme on 11th March at 17:00. Please do tune in.