The Purcell School > News > Weekly Highlights > Weekly Highlights 10th November 2023

Weekly Highlights 10th November 2023

Purcell Pianist Wins Franz Liszt Competition

Our heartfelt congratulations to Year 11 pianist Anna who triumphed in the recent 6th International Franz Liszt Competition for Young Pianists in Weimar, Germany.

Anna not only won 1st Prize in Category II but was also awarded the rarely given Grand Prix in recognition of outstanding achievement throughout the competition. She also received the Liszt Prize, the Classical Sonata Prize, the EMCY Prize and the Junior Jury Award!

This highly prestigious competition is triannual, and hugely demanding in terms of repertoire. Anna was the youngest finalist at 15 years of age, and her success is a testament to skill, determination and immaculate preparation. Anna studies at Purcell under Tessa Nicholson who supported her throughout the competition, and joined her in Weimar.

Purcell Pianist Wins Chamber Music Prize at Franz Liszt Competition

Year 12 pianist Phoebe was thrilled to be awarded ‘The Prize for the Best Interpretation of the Chamber Music Work’ in all categories at the 6th International Franz Liszt Competition in Weimar by the prestigious members of the jury.

Phoebe would especially like to thank her Purcell chamber music partners Rebecca and Ella for all their work in the preparation for her performance in Weimar leading up to the competition. Phoebe studies piano at Purcell under Caterina Grewe.

Congratulations, Phoebe.

Purcell Pianist Performs in Bucharest

We were delighted to hear earlier this week that Year 13 pianist Herman performed a piano recital on Tuesday 7th November at the Romanian Atheneaum in Bucharest.

Herman studies at Purcell under Florian Mitrea. Our congratulations to Herman, and thanks to Florian for making this prestigious opportunity a possibility.

Last Post

Year 11 trumpeter Rhys provided a warmly received musical component to the Remembrance assembly of neighbouring school The Grange Academy on Friday 10th November. Musicians contributed a great sense of solemnity and reflection to the occasion, with a Grange student providing a piano prelude to the assembly, and Rhys giving an assured and moving Last Post to conclude the assembly, to appreciation from colleagues and students at the school. Well done, Rhys.

Voice Masterclasses

Just before half term and then just after half term, Purcell’s singers were treated to two highly motivating and inspiring masterclasses. The first was given by a team from the Royal Birmingham conservatoire comprising Paul Wingfield, head of singing there, and one of his singing professors, Louise Crane. The second was given by Tim Evans-Jones, a leading singing professor at the Royal College of Music.

The Birmingham team were very focussed on style and repertoire with many insightful comments on how to refine the students’ performance and communication skills. Their class was warm and inclusive, giving clear guidance on how to delve deeper into the songs and how to present them more convincingly.

Tim Evans-Jones held two ‘try-out’ auditions for the upper sixth singers. This has become a regular part of the singing department’s calendar and gives the students a chance to experience the format and atmosphere of a conservatoire audition followed immediately by feedback on what worked and what could be improved – an invaluable experience for those involved. The other singers then took part in Tim’s masterclass and were gently challenged by ideas on how to develop their technique as they move forward.

Both classes gave the participants much food for thought whilst being thoroughly enjoyable at the same time – an ideal way to accelerate progress and development.

Choral Conducting Course and Lecture

Purcell’s Aural and Choral Conducting teacher Irina Walters has recently finished teaching a Choral Conducting course dedicated to Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary. The course, which was organised by Cardiff International Academy of Conducting (CIAC), consisted of the lectures on Rachmaninov’s choral composition and included The Choral Concerto, Liturgy, Vespers, The Bells and Three Songs. Of the participants, eight had individual conducting lessons in preparation for the culmination of the course in which they were provided with the opportunity to work with a professional choir on the selected repertoire. It was particularly pleasing to see recent alumnus James Perrin take an active part in the course.

On 2nd November, Irina also presented an introductory speech on Rachmaninov’s life and choral compositions at a concert celebrating the composer in which the award-winning Chantage choir performed his beautiful Vespers.

Concerts Department Highlights

This week at Purcell, we had four exemplary lunchtime concerts.

Well done to all performers for their beautiful playing: Sonya, Thomas, Oscar, Thomasine, Martin, Pijus, Nathaniel, Jacqueline, Cindy, Yifei, Chloe and Jessie.

Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon

We are delighted to be hosting another Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon on Sunday 3rd December from 2pm to 5pm.

The event is open to all Woodwind players of Grade 3 standard and above, and is a fantastic opportunity for young wind players to explore aspects of solo performance, technique and chamber music with Purcell’s music tutors.

To register for the Woodwind Accelerate Afternoon, please complete the form on our website here which will confirm your place. Further information will be sent to the registered email address in the week before the event.

Forthcoming Events

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

Monday 20th November – Purcell Symphony Orchestra at St John’s Smith Square
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St John’s Smith Square, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA, UK
Tickets: Tickets are £5 to £20 and available to purchase here

Performers:
Purcell School Symphony Orchestra
Paul Mann, Conductor
Hana McDowell, Violin
Ekaterina Chunikhina, Oboe

Programme:
Laila Arafah – Slacktide, Warbling (Purcell Parallels, WP)
Daniel Fardon – August Tune: Running Music (Purcell Parallels, WP)
Bartók – Violin Rhapsody No 1
Martinu – Oboe Concerto
Brahms, arr. Robin Holloway – Symphony in F minor

Tuesday 21st November – Purcell Symphony Orchestra at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Time: 1.05pm
Venue: Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B4 7XR, UK
Tickets: Free admission. Booking, however, is required. Please book here.

Performers:
Purcell School Symphony Orchestra

Programme:
Laila Arafah – Slacktide, Warbling (Purcell Parallels, WP)
Daniel Fardon – August Tune: Running Music (Purcell Parallels, WP)
Brahms, arr. Robin Holloway – Symphony in F minor

Wednesday 29th November – Wigmore Hall
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Tickets: £18 and available here.

There is always much excitement for our annual soloists’ concert at Wigmore Hall! An astonishing proportion of students audition for the opportunity to perform and an external adjudicator has the difficult task of selecting the final programme. This concert is definitely not one to miss.

Programme:
Rebecca Clarke – Viola Sonata, I. Impetuoso
York Bowen – Flute Sonata Op. 120, I. Allegro non troppo
Martinů – Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano H. 356
Kodály – Duo for Violin and Cello Op. 7, I. Allegro serioso, non troppo
Eric Sammut – Libertango
Nebojša Živković – Ilijaš
Debussy – Étude No.11
Toru Takemitsu – Rain Tree Sketch No.2
Ravel – Jeux D’Eau
Fauré– Nocturne
Liszt – Vallée d’Obermamm from Années de Pélerinage
Liszt – Concert Étude S.144 No.2

Performers:
Mina, Suanoi, Birce, Dominic, Lindsey, Ali, Nancy and Grace