Students of all ages graced the Carole Nash Hall this afternoon to air their performance muscles, since for many, this would have been the first public performance for them since the covid pandemic stopped play!
Without a programme I am absolutely lost I don't mind admitting; despite the students themselves announcing their chosen pieces etc at the start of each item, it was just impossible to follow, so apologies if composers or pieces are not directly mentioned.
In a concert that lasted a full two hours (not including a short interval), there were 14 student groups from the lower, middle and upper schools, all having formed their own specific ensembles. There were many more brass pieces today than percussion, which was a shame on a puely personal basis, as I am more a percussion fan than a brass one (unless it is a brass band.... and you can't beat a good brass band!).
Not being able to name composers / pieces or even the names of those performing, what might be a better idea is to simply describe the ones which I personally (purely subjectively) liked better than the others. Please don't misunderstand me; this has nothing to do with the talent, expertise of playing etc... just basing my liking purely on the music itself. The talent at Chetham's school is never in question; the standard they produce never ceases to amaze and astound!
My favourites in this concert were (in the order they were performed):
a) The first percussion ensemble piece, which if I remember correctly was self-composed by the students. The piece was in 4 movements showcasing the tonal and timbral qualities of marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone, and various drums. I enjoyed the rhythmic structure to the music, as well as the melody to the first movement and the syncopated jazz of the finale.
b) A young French horn trio who played variations on nursey rhymes finishing with a St Louis Blues style movement.
c) An older French horn quintet performing Bruckner. Stately, lush, and very German!
d) A brass quartet which played two movements from a larger work, which were contemporary pieces harking back at a much earlier compositional style. The first movement was fast and jolly and was followed by a quasi-minuet with a central gallop!
e) Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Nocturno', peformed by a brass quartet. Sweet, tuneful and lyrical.
f) A marimba duet which I think was called, 'Catching Shadows'. This piece was actually my overall favourite of the concert. Just amazing!
f) A marimba duet which I think was called, 'Catching Shadows'. This piece was actually my overall favourite of the concert. Just amazing!
A fabulous concert once again showcasing just exactly how musical and talented these young students are. Bravissimi tutti!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 12/3/22
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 12/3/22
No comments:
Post a Comment