The Purcell School > News > Weekly Highlights > Weekly Highlights 31st March 2023

Weekly Highlights 31st March 2023

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

North London Festival of Music Speech and Drama

We were delighted to hear that Year 7 double bassist Lucas took Second Place in the Grade 6 Double Bass Class at the recent North London Festival of Music Speech and Drama. Lucas was the youngest performer in this class and was praised for his mature performance of the 2nd movement of the double bass concerto in D major by A. Capuzzi. Congratulations, Lucas.

Purcell Pianists at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

On 22nd March, Purcell’s pianists returned to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for the RCS Piano Festival to present a programme of Rachmaninoff.

A full account of the Piano Department’s trip to Glasgow will be shared next term but, for now, our congratulations to all of the pianists (listed below) who took part and represented Purcell so brilliantly, and our thanks to the members of staff who arranged and accompanied them on this tour.

Gabriella (Year 9), Daria (Year 9), Tracy (Year 10), Zev (Year 9), Lavender (Year 10), Patchubun (Year 10), Ali (Year 11), Anastasia (Year 13), Celeste (Year 9), Yazdi (Year 11), Teodora-Ioana (Year 10), Anna (Year 10), Phoebe (Year 11), Krystal (Year 10), Daria (Year 10), Yifei (Year 11), Dymtro (Year 10), Grace (Year 9), Shixin (Year 11), Melody (Year 11), Suna (Year 10) and Tristan (Year 10).

The following photographs are courtesy of Phoebe (Year 11).

Bösendorfer Piano Concert

Earlier this year four Purcell pianists took part in the Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concert series. In a performance which took place at the Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Tristan (Year 10), Luca (Year 8), Anna (Year 10) and Herman (Year 12) played works by Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt, as well as showcasing some exciting new music by well known local composer Christopher Brown. We are fortunate that one of the audience members has kindly shared their review of the concert with us. Our thanks to Patricia Worgan for the kind words which follow.

‘It was an awesome experience to listen and watch four young people perform with such promise. They are all stars of the future and we felt lucky to have witnessed their endeavours.

The programme began with Tristan playing Bach, Christopher Brown and Chopin which he played with such technical brilliance. This 15 year old young man began playing at the age of five and is a member of the TRUST Orchestra in Indonesia whilst studying at The Purcell School.

Luca played with tremendous verve and virtuosity. His playing drew this comment from my neighbour in the audience; “wow”. He certainly is one to watch for in the future as he attacked Beethoven, Christopher Brown and Chopin with skill and elan.

The interval was followed by Anna, who at 14 years old displayed such enthusiasm and skill. She appeared lost in the music as her fingers produced a magical sound. She played Beethoven and attacked the Rachmaninov with gusto and verve. An exceptional talent of the future.

With such skill on display it would be hard to pick the best but probably the star of the concert was Herman. Only 17 years old he played an accomplished performance of Brahms and Liszt. At times his fingers were just a blur on the piano keys.

We have been fortunate enough to have listened to many world class pianists at the Bosendorfer Series over the years but these four talented young musicians certainly deserve to be placed among them.’ Patricia Worgan

Sound Image Movement Concert

Purcell aims to close each term with something spectacular and the recent Sound Image Movement Concert did not disappoint. A video of the concert will be released next term but in the meantime, here are some sensational photographs of the evening, courtesy of Misha (Year 13).

PurcellCOMPOSERS@60

On Thursday 23rd March, the Spring term ended with a bang! Following the extraordinary SIM concert, the CP Hall was transformed overnight into a professional recording studio and film set for the 60 piece symphony orchestra’s recording of two ambitious new pieces to celebrate PurcellCOMPOSERS@60, entitled SCRAWL and simultaneoUS.

SCRAWL is a 10 minute piece of ‘musical graffiti’ written by Head of Composition Alison Cox and a staggering 60 alumni composers – a collaboration we believe to be entirely unique. simultaneoUS, another unparalleled piece of writing, was composed by BBC Young Composer winner and Year 12 student Maddy, who built her work on fragments created by 100 school children as well as those by professional and student composers, including Judith Weir, Errollyn Wallen, Joseph Phibbs and Caroline Shaw.

In addition to the 60-piece student orchestra, conductor, lighting, cameras, sound equipment, camera operators and producer, the hall was dressed with contemporary pieces of artwork from Purcell’s Art Studio – each a response to the musical graffiti brief.

Mayor of Hertsmere’s Charity Concert

On Monday 20th March, we were thrilled to host the Mayor of Hertsmere’s Charity Concert. Many local dignitaries attended, including HM High Sheriff and HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

Guests were absolutely delighted by the students’ performances, with the programme including an exciting Sejourne Marimba duet played magnificently by Ali (Year 12) and Josh (Year 13); Puccini sung beautifully by Tiana (Year 13); a Dorati solo by Ekaterina before joining fellow Year 13s, Tom and Alana for an outstanding Beethoven Trio for Oboes and Cor Anglais. The evening concluded with Henry Mancini by our wonderful Year 13 jazz quartet, Zaki, Djordje, Ted and Freddie.

In his closing speech the Lord Lieutenant praised the students, commenting that he could not believe that they weren’t professional musicians.

A huge well done and much thanks to all the students who were involved. You made us all incredibly proud.

The proceeds of the evening will be split between the Peace Hospice and The Purcell School.

Tardis Sighting at Purcell!

The Art Department has had a huge effect upon the walls and corridors of Purcell this academic year, and none more so than in the transformation of the old and unused telephone booth at the bottom of the West Wing staircase . . . which is now a tardis! In a joint project with Purcell’s Estates Team, they have renovated the old booth which, now resplendent in blue paint, will be filled with shelves of donated books and operate as an ‘honesty library’ for our students.

Alumnus To Perform with Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra

Alumnas Firoze Madon will play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra at 4.00 pm on Sunday 16th April at Wycombe Old Town Hall, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE. The event is free to attend and is sponsored by Bucks Music Trust following Firoze’s winning performance at the Bucks Young Musician competition 2022.

End of Term Update from Purcell’s Physiotherapist

Purcell’s Physiotherapist Sarah Upjohn has had a really exciting Spring Term, working alongside a variety of important organisations. The highlights of which have included visiting and working with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Youth Academy; the instrumentalists and staff of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; the string teachers at Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Teaching hub; the ABRSM Examiners Conference; and the health and wellbeing centre at Elmhurst Ballet School.

Over the Easter break, as well as eating a little chocolate, Sarah intends to spend a day at Snape Maltings working with Aldeburgh Young Musicians; host the next Healthy Conservatoires Network Meeting; join the National Children’s Orchestra’s ‘Main’ Orchestra course in Dorset; and join the National Youth Folk Ensemble at their end of course concert.

In the words of Sarah, until next term, ‘Keep Well – Play Better’.

Forthcoming Events

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

Wednesday 19 April – Schubert Mass in G: Lower and Middle School Choir
Time: 7pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking necessary

Thursday 20 April – Evensong at St Albans Cathedral
Time: 5pm
Venue: The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, St Albans
Tickets: Free admission. No booking necessary

Friday 21 April – Concert at the University of Birmingham
Time: 1pm
Venue: Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building
Tickets: Free Dmission. No booking necessary

Programme:
Ernst von Dohnányi | Serenade in C Major, Op. 10, 3 movements
Rachmaninoff | Trio élégiaque No. 1
Danzi | Wind Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 56, I. I. AllegrettoFranck | Piano Quintet in F minor

Performers:
Dominic-Lucian, Tifany, Lindsey, Benji, Henrietta, Sebastian, Chonchanok, Birce, Tom, Sacha, Chloe, Francisca, Hana, Fiona, Ella and Thomas

Sunday 23 April – Senior Concerto Competition: Grand Final
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking necessary

Programme:
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue – Benji
Korngold Viollin Concerto – Francisca
Bartok Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra – Hana
Gliere Horn Concerto – Chloe
Martinu Oboe Concerto – Ekaterina
Lalo Cello Concerto – Emma

Tuesday 25 April – Wigmore Hall Lunchtime Concert
Time: 1pm
Venue: Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, London W1U 2BP
Tickets: Tickets are £16 (£14 concessions) and are available from the Wigmore Hall website

Programme:
Ernst von Dohnányi | Serenade in C Major, Op. 10, I. Marcia: Allegro, II. Romanza: Adagio non troppo and V. Rondo (Finale): Allegro vivace
Rachmaninoff | Trio élégiaque No. 1
Danzi | Wind Quintet in B-Flat Major, Op. 56, I. Allegretto
Franck | Piano Quintet in F minor, I. Molto moderato quasi lento – Allegro

Performers:
Dominic, Tifany, Lindsey, Benji, Henrietta, Sebastian, Chonchanok, Birce, Tom, Sacha, Chloe, Fiona, Ella and Thomas

Tuesday 25 April – Viola Recital: Sarah-Jane Bradley
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Liszt Room, The Purcell School
Tickets: Fee admission. No booking necessary

Masterclasses

An important part of our students’ teaching experience is having access to visiting artists, teachers and musicians. As a result, Purcell’s Masterclass programme is rich, varied and regular. It enhances student learning, provides exceptional insight into the craft of professional musicians and is an intimate means in which to share expertise.

We are delighted to be able to open many of these sessions to the public, free of charge. Please see below the masterclasses due to take place this April.

If you would like to attend a particular masterclass, please call the School reception on 01923 331100 to confirm.