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

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO) 2022

We were delighted to hear that some of our young musicians have been offered places in the 2022 National Youth Orchestra (NYO). Danya (Year 11), Chloe (Year 12) and Ella (Year 13) are three such Purcell students who will join the NYO’s 2022 intake for the viola, horn and violin, respectively. In addition, Danya will also take up the role of string leader for the viola section, Chloe will become Principal Horn, and Ella will be embarking upon her third year with the NYO as a First Violin. Congratulations all round!

If you are the parent or guardian of a Purcell student with news akin to this – be these musical successes, academic achievements or extra-curricular activities – which you would like to share with our community, we would love to hear from you at publicity@purcell-school.org.
 

Daniel Higham

Earlier this week, trombonist and alumnus Daniel Higham became the winner of the 2021 Musicians’ Company’s Young Jazz Musician Award. Daniel studied at Purcell from 2010 and went on to the Royal Academy of Music. He is currently a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Kansas Smitty’s House Band and Clark Tracey’s Sextet. All at Purcell are thrilled for Daniel and send our congratulations.

Special mentions and congratulations also to alumni Sean Payne (alto sax) and Jas Kayser (drums) who were finalists.
 

Alim Beisembayev

Pianist and alumnus Alim Beisembayev, the First Prize winner (The Waterman Gold Medal) of this year’s Leeds International Piano Competition, has released his debut recording on the Warner Classics label.

As part of his winning package, Alim won a recording contract with Warner Classics and management by Askonas Holt. The release features a selection of his performances, including solo works from Scarlatti, Ravel and Ligeti, which were recorded live during the competitions at Leeds Town Hall.

You can listen to Alim’s album via Apple Music below.


 

Susana Gómez Vázquez

Pianist and alumna Susana Gómez Vázquez has also released new music, in the form of a video premiere for Flora’s Game by Piazzolla. The video is part of Susana’s debut album Ad Illam (For Her), which was released with Eudora Records earlier this year.

For more information about Susana or to purchase the album, please visit her website here.
 

Christopher Nupen

BBC Four will this weekend present a tribute to the acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nupen with a new documentary titled Listening Through The Lens: The Films of Christopher Nupen. The 90-minute programme, narrated by Stephen Fry, contains excerpts from some of the director’s most celebrated films as well as interviews with the broadcasters and musicians who he encountered throughout his career including Purcell patrons Vladimir Ashkenazy and Evgeny Kissin. Christopher also made a film for The Purcell School some years ago and he filmed a biographical documentary of alumnus Karim Said over a 5-year period, footage of which will be featured in the new documentary.

Listening Through The Lens airs on BBC 4 on Sunday 3rd October at 9pm.
 

Reminders

As covered in previous Weekly Highlights, please find below a list of forthcoming events and concerts which may be of interest.

 

Open Morning
The Purcell School
Sunday 10th October 2021
To attend, please complete the Open Morning Registrations form here.

 

Wigmore Hall Evening Recital
Wigmore Hall
Sunday 10th October 2021
7.30pm
Tickets are available now through the venue’s box office.

 

Woodwind and Brass Open Afternoon
The Purcell School
Sunday 17th October 2021
2.00 to 5.00pm
Online registration is required for this event. Please register here.

 

The Sam Every Big Band:‘The Best of Bond’
The Spice of Life Jazz Club, Soho, London
Thursday 7th October 2021
6:30pm Doors | 7:30pm Gig
Tickets are available from WeGotTickets here