MUSIC REVIEW: Chetham's Middle School Concert - The Stoller Hall, Manchester

Whenever I watch and listen to the pupils of Chetham's Music School perform, I need to constantly pinch myself in order to be reminded that these are still school children, and in this case, Middle School pupils, who are in their early teens. Yes, sometimes their playing might be a little rough around the edges to the initiated, but to the majority of us, like myself - who although I have had some music training and do possess some knowledge on the pieces, techniques and genres etc, I am in no way a trained musician, and so what I listen to is exceptional and truly remarkable for those still so young with many years of refining and honing their craft even further still to come.

This evening a mixed-bag of a concert was presented - a complete pot-pourri from saxophone ensembles to full orchestral works in different styles from different epochs. No matter, the entire evening was a joy and I enjoyed every single piece greatly. 

We started with Chetham's Saxophone Septet, under the leadership of course tutor A. Wilson. Two short pieces were performed, but big jazz numbers with syncopated rhythms, tricky bluesy harmonies, and solo riffs. 'Carnival' by K. Street, (which was perhaps my favourite piece of all the saxophone pieces of the evening), was followed by Irving Berlin's 'Puttin' On The Ritz'. 

The Chetham's Saxophone Octet (made up from the sixth form of the school) were next, and they played three saxophone arrangements of classical music: Dvorak's 'Serenade' (opus 44), Faure's 'Libera Me' from his 'Requiem', and Rossini's 'La Danza', a lovely tarantella to end the saxophone section of the concert. The fullness of the textures they displayed with only 8 saxophones was quite remarkable.

Now it was the turn of the Middle School Orchestra, and before the interval these early teenagers surprised and wowed with their maturity, understanding of and affinity with the music they had been asked to play. 'Talent' seems too bland a word to use here.

The first piece was Lili Boulanger's, 'D'Un Matin Du Printemps'; a piece of French Impresionism from a young composer who sadly died far too young and whose body of work rarely gets to see the light of day. This piece was conducted by A. Beresford, the first of four RNCM Bursary conductors this evening.

Following this we stayed in France and heard the first movement of Saint-Saens's Violin Concerto no 3 (opus 61), with the violin solo played by Chetham's pupil, the 14-year-old C Whyte. Conducted by the second RNCM Bursary conductor of the evening, M Sepulveda, the orchestra seemed to collectively become more responsive and alert, as he gave large and simple gesticulatory direction to the sections, allowing Whyte to respond to the piece herself. She looked a little nervous (understandably) and even seemed to quietly berate herself half-way through as she perhaps was not completely satisified with what she had just played. She need not have worried however, her playing was wonderful, and as I have already written, these concerts are very much a learning-curve for these performers, and if she hadn't have given the game away, no-one would have been any the wiser! A hugely talented young lady with an obvious and skilful connection to the violin and the music. Brava!

After the interval, the final three movements of Tchaikovsky's wonderful 4th Concerto were performed. The second movement was conducted by J. Sieber whose style was very similar to Sepulveda's except a little more laid-back; however the orchestra truly pulled out all of the stops and jumped into Bristol fashion competely when faced with the final conductor of the evening, and the final of the four RNCM Bursaries, E. Vergaragallego, who is most definitley an up-coming conductor to keep an eye out for! Her use of facial expression along with strong and easy-to-understand gesticulation brought the absolute best from her young charges, and her connection to the music she was conducting was incredible. Of course, the orchestra responded to this and the final two movements of the synphony just moved up into 5th gear, finishing on a triumphant flourish of an extended cadence.

A privilege to be in the audience this evening, and to be able to watch and listen to the next generation of music talent. Most edifying and enjoyable. 

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 21.10.21