Evening Music Recital

The Old Ref was beautifully lit in reds, pinks, and blues for our evening recital, turning it into a wonderfully intimate performance space. There was certainly an air of excitement and expectation, with a programme covering seven different instruments and voice, and as many musical periods and styles.

Athena in Year 10 opened the recital with a confident performance of the first movement of JC Bach’s Viola Concerto. Her bowing was strong and the warm tone of the Viola most certainly shone through.

In a change of styles, the next piece was The Winner Takes It All, by ABBA, performed by Galina in Year 11. She sang beautifully, with great power and pathos, and she gave every single word meaning. Alissandra and Ella also provided lovely backing vocals, and it was a lovely performance.

Rosie (Yr13) played the famous Méditation from Thaïs by Massenet on the Violin. Her lyrical line was beautiful, and her playing mirrored the operatic style of the piece. It covers the instrument’s complete range, and Rosie’s tone was warm and rich in the lower register and strong in upper harmonics.

Candis in Year 10 then took to the piano to play Schubert’s Impromptu in A flat major. It was clear from her performance that she had complete control of the instrument and of the complexity of the piece – her rubato in the running quavers’ section was lovely.

The next piece was She Never Told Her Love by Haydn, performed by Alice (Yr10). Singing the words of Shakespeare, she was able to give the words colour and showcase her beautiful soprano voice, and the top notes were clear and rang out brightly.

Natalie (Yr8) performed the first movement from Mozart’s first Violin Concerto with great command of her instrument. She was able to change between alternating forte and piano sections with ease, and her playing was crisp and precise. Her cadenza at the end of the movement allowed her to show her mastery of double-stopping while also running effortlessly between the top and bottom of the instrument’s range.

In stark stylistic contrast to her performance in SIX before Christmas, Ella in Year 11 sang the stunning Domine Deus from Vivaldi’s Gloria. Her voice was beautifully clear, and her mastery of the long phases requiring outstanding breathcontrol was remarkable. It is a beautiful piece, and Ella’s performance certainly did it justice.

Sisters, Queena and Kate (Yr12 and 11), played two wonderful movements by Doppler on the Flute, the Andante and Rondo. The timing between the two players was perfect, particularly so when they moved into the faster Rondo. The interplay was lovely, covering the the instrument’s full range, and their playing was matched beautifully by Abi’s skilful accompaniment on the piano.

Burning Eyes R Calling by Wasia Project, an amalgamation of pop and classical which fuses British and East Asian styles, was performed by Tiffany in Year 12. Not only was her voice powerful and lyrical, but she also accompanied herself on the piano – it was a lovely performance.

The next piece was the unaccompanied Largo from JS Bach’s Violin Sonata in C Major, performed brilliantly by Alissandra in Year 12, just a week after performing so brilliantly as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. It is very exposing to play without an accompaniment to support you, and her timing was impeccable throughout.

Fleur sang Still Hurting by Jason Robert Brown, and her powerful voice was clear. She was able to move effortlessly between the quiet contemplative sections and those where her character was more certain of her feelings. It was a bewitching performance.

The next piece was the third movement of Schubert’s A minor Sonata, performed by Abi in Year 12. She demonstrated the confidence to wait as long she dared before starting new phrases, with lovely rubato, and the changes between the different sections of the movement were clearly defined.

In a wonderful change of mood, Charlie sang At Last by Etta James – singing jazz demands a different type of confidence, the confidence to pull the music around, and enjoy every moment of it. Given her brilliant rendition, you would never believe that she’s only in Year 9 – wow!

Carmen in Year 12 played the Allegretto from Saint-Saëns’ Clarinet Sonata, and she was able to show off the instrument’s full range, from the rich lower register to the ringing top notes. The next piece was a duet for Cello and Double Bass by Dragonetti, and Sarah and Zyta in Year 9 played this little-known piece beautifully, showcasing their instruments.

The recital concluded with the stunning and fiendishly difficult Nocturne in B flat minor by Chopin. Bernice in Year 10 was able to show complete mastery of this challenging piece, moving easily between the louder and quieter sections on the piano, and in full control of the instrument.

The recital was a remarkable showcase of the School’s musicians – well done to all our performers. Thank you also to Ms Bartlette, for overseeing the recital, to Mr Rous for his faultless accompaniment, to Mr Wailes and Mr Pashley for setting up the room and providing the cheese and wine, and to everyone who came to support.

Dr Barrand

Programme

1st movement from Viola Concerto – J C Bach

Athena (Yr10) – Viola

The winner takes it all from Mamma Mia –Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

Galina (Yr11) – Voice

Méditation from Thaïs – Massenet

Rosie (Yr13) – Violin

Impromptu op. 142 No. 2 in A Flat Major –Schubert

Candis (Yr10) – Piano

She never told her love – Haydn

Alice (Yr10) – Voice

1st movement from Violin Concerto No. 4 –Mozart

Natalie (Yr8) – Violin

Domine Deus from Gloria – Vivaldi

Ella (Yr11) – Voice

Andante and Rondo – Francois Doppler

Queena (Yr12) and Kate (Yr11) – flute, Abi (Yr12) – Piano

Burning Eyes R Calling – Wasia Project Tiffany (Yr12) – Voice

Largo from Violin Sonata No. 3 in C major – JS Bach

Alissandra (Yr12) – Violin

Still Hunting from The Last Five Years – Jason Robert Brown

Fleur (Yr11) – Voice

Allegro vivace from Piano Sonata No.4 in A minor – 3rd movement – Schubert

Abi (Yr12) – Piano

At Last – Etta James

Charlie (Yr9) – Voice

Allegretto from Sonata, Op 167 – Saint-Saëns

Carmen (Yr12) – Clarinet

Adagio from Duo for cello and contrabass – 1st movement – Dragonetti

Sarah (Yr9) – Cello and Zyta (Yr9) –Contrabass

Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1 in B Flat minor – Chopin

Bernice (Yr10) – Piano

Sport Stars of the Week

Congratulations to this week's Sports Stars!

[Miss Kirby-Jones]

Year 7

Dita, for stepping up to play lastminute Netball fixture

Year 8 Molly, for great progress in Netball this term

Year 9

Gaby, for brilliant performances in both Netball and in the swimming gala

Year 10 Mia, for a great Netball performance at SISNA

Year 11

Esme, for fantastic netballing for the U16s

Year 12

Lila, for brilliant commitment and effort in Netball

Year 13

Emma, for wonderful commitment to Netball in the face of adversity