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Weekly Highlights 10th March 2023

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

Purcell Pianist Wins Gold Prize in Music Competition

We were delighted to hear that Year 8 pianist Kevin triumphed in the recent Universal Stars Music Competition, receiving the Gold Prize from a jury presided over by Nigel Clayton of the Royal College of Music. Kevin studies at Purcell under Florian Mitrea. Well done, Kevin!

Purcell Pianist Triumphs at International Chopin Competition

It was wonderful to find out earlier this week that Year 12 pianist Jiahao won 1st Place (Category C) and the Audience Prize at the recent London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists. Jiahao studies at Purcell under Jianing Kong. Our congratulations!

Purcell Student in Chinese New Year Celebration

It is a pleasure to share some footage of Year 8 student Mason taking part in the Chinese New Year celebrations which took place in Trafalgar Square this January. The performance, which is a form of Chinese Opera, involved more than 400 people and featured Mason in a small solo aspect. Well done, Mason.

Renowned Violinist and Conductor Visits Purcell

On Wednesday 8th March, internationally renowned violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky visited Purcell to undertake a series of masterclasses with a selection of Purcell’s First Study violinists.

In addition to his time spent in the masterclasses, Dmitry Sitkovetsky also took part in an Aural class and gave an intimate performance of Kreisler.

Our thanks to him for sharing his knowledge and expertise so freely with our students. The impact is immeasurable!

Purcell’s Director of Music Conducts KSO at Cadogan Hall

On Tuesday 14th March 2023 at 7.30pm, Purcell’s Director of Music Paul Hoskins will conduct the Kensington Symphony Orchestra (KSO) in Stravinsky and Rachmaninov at Cadogan Hall.

This is Paul Hoskins’ first appearance as guest conductor with the orchestra who have been described as ‘one of the very best amateur groups in the country’ by Classical Magazine and have been hailed by Classical Source for ‘putting on bold, adventurous programmes that few of the ‘big five’ in London would either think of or get away with’.

Tickets are from £16 to £35 and are on sale through the Cadogan Hall website.

Works by Daniel Fardon Performed at Wigmore Hall

On Saturday 18th March at 3pm, the Bloomsbury Quartet will perform two works by composer and Purcell teacher of Composition Daniel Fardon at Wigmore Hall as part of the Imagine Series.

Fardon’s pieces ‘Prelude: flessibile’ and ‘Bloomsbury Morning: clement & leafy’ will open the low stimulus performance, which will see the Bloomsbury Quartet play without sudden or loud volume in a sparsely lit Wigmore Hall.

Further information about the concert and ticket information is available through the Wigmore Hall website here.

Concerts Week in Review

It has been another jam-packed week of performances which kicked off in spectacular style with the sold out Jazz Ensembles’ Concert at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho and continued with the sensational lunchtime concert at the Leeds Conservatoire (part of the Leeds International Concert Season). Here at Purcell, we also had a brilliant Brass Department Concert and for impressive Lunchtime Concerts.

Well done to all the following performers: Jack, Freddie, Mahla, Megan, Louis, Zaki, Johnathan, Nathaniel, Albert, Djordje, Cole, Angelica, Ted, Noah, Julianna, Lucas, Ruby, Freddie, Rhys, Phoebe, Chloe, Skye, Belinda, Alex H, Alex R, Tiana, Willow, Mason, Rowena, Seth, Ms Molins, Mr Owen, Anna, Jacqueline, Ekaterina, Grace, Emma, Suanoi, Ali, Farrah, Kevin, Zev, Marija, Edward and April.

Avison House Celebrate St David’s Day

On Wednesday 1st March, the boarding staff and boarders of Avison House celebrated St David’s Day with a feast of homemade cupcakes and Welsh cakes. Theses treats, as well as the bright and bold display of yellow daffodils and red dragons in the entrance hall, were courtesy of Avison Assistant Houseparent Annette Cook who, coincidentally, celebrated her 12 year anniversary at Purcell on the very same day.

Jacob Collier to Play Mad Cool Festival

The Mad Cool Festival has announced multi-award winning, multi-instrumentalist and alumnus Jacob Collier as one of the stellar artists on the 2023 festival lineup. Collier will play on Thursday 6th July at a new festival venue in Madrid, Spain.

Further festival information and tickets are available here.

Alumnus Conducts Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Following his successful debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in April 2019, conductor and alumnus Kerem Hasan returned to Toronto last week to conduct two new performances at Roy Thomson Hall. The programme featured works by Mozart, Britten and Missy Mazzoli.

Alumnus Releases New Album

Pianist and alumnus Yevgeny Subdin has released a new album entitled ‘Romeo and Juliet: Tchaikovsky on the Piano’ with his daughter Bella Subdin. Originally a lockdown project, the album features arrangements of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral music alongside other miniature gems from the composer’s oeuvre. One reviewer, Clive Paget for ‘Limelight’, commented that ‘Sudbin and daughter sparkle fairy dust over Tchaikovsky’s works for piano’.

The recording is available on Apple Music here.

Purcell Patron to Perform at 2023 Verbier Festival

As it prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Verbier Festival has announced that internationally renowned pianist and Purcell Patron Evgeny Kissin will be part of the festival’s 2023 line-up. Kissin will accompany the American soprano Renée Fleming for a performance of Schubert, Liszt, Rachmaninov and Duparc on 28th July.

Alumnus Lead Australian Festival of Chamber Music for 2nd Year

British violinist and alumnus Jack Liebek continues to flourish in his role as Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. The festival announced its full 2023 program on 1st March, and will present 34 concerts over 10 days between 28 July and 6th August.

Forthcoming Events

In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our online Concerts and Events Guide here.

Wednesday 15th March – Jazz Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.

Following their sell concert at Soho’s Pizza Express Live, The Purcell School Jazz Department will be showcasing a term’s music making in what looks set to be a fantastic evening of jazz standards and new compositions.

Friday 17th March – Concert at South Hill Park
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Recital Room, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, UK
Tickets: Tickets are available from £5.50 from the South Hill Park box office here.

Monday 20th March – The Mayor’s Charity Concert and Reception
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Tickets are £25 and can be purchased here.

We are delighted to be hosting the 2023 Mayor’s Charity Concert and Reception on Monday 20th March in association with Councillor John Graham, Mayor of Hertsmere.

Hosted by the Mayor himself, the music for the evening will be provided by students of The Purcell School, some of the most talented young artists in the country. Following the concert, guests are invited to join the Mayor and the musicians at a drinks reception in the Liszt Room.

Profit from the ticket sales will be split equally between the Mayor’s nominated charity, The Peace Hospice (Charity No. 1002878), and The Purcell School (Charity No. 312855).

Wednesday 22nd March – Sound Image Movement Concert
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.

Come to Purcell for another mind-blowing Sound Image Movement concert!

This concert is not one to miss.