a level music recitals

A small but very appreciative audience gathered in the Recital Room on Monday evening to hear our Upper Sixth form students perform their final A level recitals. Each candidate was required to prepare a twenty minute programme of repertoire.

The concert opened with Callum Au on the trombone performing the whole of Rimsky Korsakov’s trombone concerto, Serocki’s technically demanding sonata as well as his own arrangements of jazz classics. This was a truly outstanding performance showing off the trombone’s range and colour to its full.

Pui Yan Lam followed on the piano, performing Haydn’s Variations in F minor, a contemporary work by Diana Burrell and ending with Schubert’s much loved Impromptu in G flat. Pui Yan beautifully captured Haydn’s delicate textures, Burrell’s exciting rhythms and Schubert’s singing melodies.

After a short break, John Dopping-Hepenstal took us on a fascinating journey of traditional and popular music for the guitar. Starting with a Prelude on the classical guitar by J.S Bach, he soon moved onto the electric guitar to illustrate the more contemporary styles of Rock and Blues. Joined at the end by bass player Callum Au, John showed off his excellent understanding of jazz with an impressive improvisation on “Autumn Leaves”.

Baritone player, Michael Wells took to the stage to close the evening, performing the first two movement of Horovitz’s Euphonium concerto, Reflections by Steven Booth and Variations on Grandfather’s Clock by George Doughty. In the Horovitz, Michael demonstrated a rare musical maturity for his age and a beautiful tone quality. He delivered the closing variations to Grandfather’s clock at break neck speed proving complete technical control of the instrument.

Well done to all performers. This very talented upper sixth have made an exceptional contribution to Arnold’s music and will be greatly missed when they leave this summer.

Posted by: J L Ross
Date: Wednesday 21/03/2007