Weekly Highlights 22nd November 2024

Posted: 22nd November 2024

Purcell Pianist Shines with Standing Ovation at International Competition

Upper sixth pianist Phoebe captivated audiences last weekend with her performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 at the prestigious Pianale Piano Festival Winner’s Concert, held in the Fürstensaal of Stadtschloss Fulda, Germany. The invitation was a reward for her triumph at the 17th International Pianale Piano Academy and Competition, where she won the coveted Publikumspreis (Audience Award).

Phoebe stood out as the youngest finalist among 30 talented participants (aged 30 and under) from around the world. After a stunning recital in the competition’s final round, she was named Pianale 2024 Winner and awarded the honour of performing with the Hessen Classic Players under the baton of Christoph Gotthardt. Her breathtaking performance on Sunday 17th November, concluded with a standing ovation in the historic City Palace of Fulda.

Grateful for her achievement, Phoebe expressed heartfelt thanks to William Fong, The Purcell School and everyone who supported her three-year journey through rigorous preparation and performance opportunities.

The Pianale Academy provides classical pianists with world-class training, combining masterclasses, concerts and the prestigious competition. Four finalists, selected by an international jury, compete for the Audience Award at the finale held at Schloss Fasanerie in Eickenzell. Participants also benefit from daily German language lessons and specialised fitness programs designed for pianists, making it a hub for professionals at various career stages.

Post-concert, Phoebe charmed the audience further by engaging in interviews – in German – about her Pianale experience and the specialist musical education she has received at The Purcell School over the past six years.

Heartfelt congratulations to Phoebe. All at Purcell are enormously proud and we can not wait to see what you do next.

Purcell Pianist Triumphs at Maidenhead Festival

Congratulations to Celeste (Year 11) for her outstanding achievements at the Maidenhead Festival of Music and Dance! Celeste was awarded two gold medals, earning 1st Prize in the Romantic Period Class for her performance of Waldesrauschen by Franz Liszt and 1st Prize in the Chopin Anniversary Class for her stunning interpretation of Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 47.

Her exceptional performance of Chopin also earned her The Joyce Margaret Anniversary Cup, a prestigious accolade.

Celeste studies piano at Purcell under the guidance of Florian Mitrea. We are all very proud of her success.

Purcell Pianist’s International Debut in Germany

Congratulations to Year 11 pianist Zev on his international debut in Germany! On Sunday 17th November, Zev performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major with the Sinfonieorchester Opus 125, conducted by Javier Alvarez Fuentes, at the Hauptkirche Rheydt in Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Playing to an audience of approximately 250 people, Zev delivered an inspiring performance that concluded with a standing ovation. A special thanks to his teacher, Tessa Nicholson, who travelled to Germany to support Zev throughout the rehearsals and performance.

This milestone marks an incredible achievement in Zev’s musical journey. Bravo!

Purcell Trumpeter Triumphs in Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championship

At the start of the half term holidays, Year 7 trumpeter Glyn was invited to perform in a special concert hosted by the Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Committee and the Yorkshire Music Futures Trust. The concert was held at the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall at Leeds University, and all winners of Youngest Player awards at the Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championships in 2023 and 2024 were invited to participate. Glyn won this prize for the First Section at the 2024 Championships.

The concert featured the Yorkshire Imperial band under the baton of Garry Hallas, and as well as being seated in the band for the concert, the young players were given the opportunity of performing a solo of their choice accompanied by the “Imps”. Glyn chose to play First Light, which was commissioned in 2015 for Kirsty Abbotts and the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band and composed by Ben Hollings. He was also featured later in the programme alongside the band’s solo cornets in a quartet arrangement of Mr Sandman.

Our congratulations to Glyn on this fantastic achievement!

Purcell Trumpeter English Schools Orchestra

During the half term break, Year 12 trumpeter Rhys attended the 2024 English Schools Orchestra course, held at the Mount Grace School in Potters Bar. Working again under the baton of Lewis Gaston and with mentors guiding each individual section, the orchestra prepared a challenging programme of Wagner’s Overture from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Gregson’s Tuba Concerto featuring tuba soloist Charlie Jones and Bruckner’s Symphony 7 in E Major. The course concluded with a concert at London’s Cadogan Hall.

What an inspiring experience for Rhys. We are delighted to hear that he is developing his skills while also contributing to an exceptional event. Congratulations.

3rd November 2024. The English Schools Orchestra perform at Cadogan Hall, London.

Purcell Trumpeter Sounds the Last Post at Remembrance Service

On Remembrance Sunday, Year 12 trumpeter Rhys was invited to sound the Last Post and Reveille during the annual Service of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church, Watford. He also accompanied the church organist during the singing of hymns during the service, which included Ralph Vaughan-Williams’ setting of All People That On Earth Do Dwell with its soaring trumpet descant part sounding particularly fine in the glorious acoustic of St Mary’s.

Well done, Rhys, for representing the Purcell community with such dignity and musicianship.

Tim Evan-Jones Masterclass

Last Thursday (14th November), the classical singers were treated to a masterclass by Tim Evans-Jones, the highly regarded singing professor from the Royal College of Music. This has become somewhat of an annual event and Tim kicked the proceedings off by giving two upper sixth singers ‘try-out’ auditions. This is an opportunity for singers who are auditioning for conservatoires to experience the process they will go through when they do the ‘real thing’.

Following that, all the other singers performed a song from their current repertoire which Tim helped them to improve with some very useful feedback and technical advice. They all rose to the occasion and acquitted themselves very well.

The singers involved were Kiah (Year 9), Daniel (Year 10), Craig (Year 10), Sonya (Year 10), Solomiya (Year 12), Mac (Year 12), Alina (Year 12), Arabella (Year 13) and Suanoi (Year 13). Daniel Swain accompanied the class.

We are very much indebted to Tim for his expertise, encouragement and his ability to put the students at their ease, allowing them to get the most from the occasion.

Concerts Review

Wednesday 20th – St Albans Rehearsal Orchestra
On Wednesday, pianist Daria had the opportunity to rehearse the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 with the St Albans Rehearsal Orchestra. It is an amateur orchestra in Hatfield rehearsing classical music on Wednesday mornings. The group invites guest soloists to run through concerto movements, and we have two more students visiting next week to complete the concerto.

Wednesday 20th – Pushkin House
On Wednesday, three students from Purcell performed at Pushkin House in Bloomsbury Square for the first time featuring a programme of music by Tchaikovsky. Congratulations to students Anna (Winner of the 6th International Franz Liszt Competition for Young Pianists, 2024), Shlomi (Finalist, BBC Young Musician of the Year, 2024) and Luca (First Prize at the Alicante International Piano Competition) who all performed so well.

Thursday 21st – Chamber Choir at St Mary’s Church, Watford
The Purcell School Chamber choir gave a concert alongside conductor Tom Winpenny and organist Phoebe Tak Man Chow on Thursday at St Mary’s Church in Watford. The choir sung two Magnificat’s by Vivaldi and Durante, and soloists Arabella and Mac performed songs by Pergolesi, Vaughan Williams and Mozart. Student Arthur also played Wachet Auf on the church’s organ. This concert was kindly sponsored by The DMF Trust in Memory of David and Myrtle Franklin.

Friday 22nd – Lower School Concert
Just before our students broke up for the EXEAT weekend, soloists from years 7 and 8 (many of which are new this academic year) performed a mixture of repertoire from Strauss to Louis Armstrong. Congratulations to Asta, Gracie, Norah, Michael, Tymofiy, Stelios, Rose, Glyn, Theo, Stephanie, Marcus, Clara and Cole for your wonderful performances.

The Purcell School Friends & Members Concert
On Monday 18th November, the CP Hall played host to a fantastic concert for members of the School’s 1962 Society and Friends of the School. The audience were delighted to hear the Mozart’s String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat major, K. 458 ‘The Hunt’ played by Maria, Martin, Yagmur and Teresa, Beethoven’s Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No.1 ‘The Ghost’ played by Shlomi, Ken and Tristan, and Alone Together (Arthur Schwartz), Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma) and Recorda Me (Joe Henderson) performed by Clementine, Albert, Cole and Sam. Well done to all of the performers! There were many appreciative comments from the audience after the concert.

Gila Goldstein Recital and Masterclass
On Thursday 21st November, the students were delighted to hear a recital by pianist Gila Goldstein. Gila Goldstein is known as a versatile musician and has captivated audiences around the world with her unique artistry and soulful interpretations. Her performance at Purcell included Schubert, Bach and a UK Premiere by Ronn Yedidia. The recital was followed by a very engaging and informative masterclass. Well done to Elizabeth, Pijus and Rina for your masterclass performances.

Lunchtime Concerts
On Monday and Friday of this week, we had a wonderful selection of classical music: Haydn, Schumann, Beethoven, Chopin, Prokoviev and Shostakovich, to name but a few. Well done to Tom, Rina, Chaeyu, Nina, Kutay, Yoko, Yixuan, Anthony and Tracy for your performances.

On Tuesday we were treated to our first brass lunchtime performances of the term with a trumpet solo from Rhys, followed by the ‘lower’ brass ensemble Alex, Skye, Willow and Tristan (lower being the lower instruments: trombones and tuba), and then two traditional tunes played by the brass quartet of Rhys, Brad, Alex and Tristan.

Wednesday’s concert was led by Clara who performed a set of her inspiring songs, with an additional original written and sung by Lia. Flo (electric bass) and Elliot (drums) joined on the final two tracks creating a powerful ending to the set. The concert was very much enjoyed by a packed JCS audience.

Forthcoming Events

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

Monday 25 November – Songwriters Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Come and join us to hear our songwriters’ latest compositions.

Wednesday 27 November – Middle School Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Tuesday 3 December – Pop and Commercial Department Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Join students from the Pop and Commercial department in their showcase concert.

Programme details to follow.

Wednesday 4 December – Chamber Choir Concert
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Rosary Shrine, Saint Dominic’s Priory, Southampton Rd, London NW5 4LB
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

The Purcell School Chamber Choir, conducted by Tom Winpenny, present an evening concert at St Dominic’s Priory, accompanied by organist Phoebe Tak Man Chow.

Programme:
Durante Magnificat
Vivaldi Magnificat
Monteverdi Beatus Vir
Schubert Psalm 23

The concert is sponsored by the DMF Trust in memory of David and Myrtle Franklin.

Free admission but donations are kindly welcomed to support both the School and the church organ restoration fund.

Further information is available here.

Wednesday 11 December – Christmas Jazz Concert
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required

Join our jazz students for a very ‘Merry’ Christmas concert with special guest Alec Dankworth.

Programme details to follow.