carmina burana

In what was one of the musical highlights of the year, musicians of all ages combined to give an outstanding evening's entertainment in the Memorial Hall on Thursday.

Although billed as a Choral Concert, the first half was a showcase for two exceptional young musicians in Pui Yan Lam and Callum Au, who both delighted the crowded auditorium.

Pui Yan's performance of the 1st Movement of the Haydn Piano Concerto in D major was given with the maturity and power of a much older pianist. She combined well with the orchestra, being forceful when needed and was able to blend and support when necessary. We look forward to hearing more of her progress when she continues her studies at Birmingham Conservatoire.

It's not often that a student produces a concerto that he has written and asks if it can be performed in a concert, but this was the case with Callum, who wrote his Jazz Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra as part of the composing element of his A Level music studies.

The first movement of this impressive work immediately gave us a realisation that here was a composer and performer of outstanding talent. The vibrancy, rhythms and dynamics we heard showed that this had been inspired, as the composer said in his programme notes, by the pioneers of the bebop movement.

The second slow movement was in the style of a swing ballad reminiscent of the great Tommy Dorsey. The third and final movement showed this young composer at his best, writing for what he understands so well. At times one could have been forgiven for imagining that the pen of Sammy Nestico, the Count Basie arranger had been involved, so well crafted were the colours and contours. One particularly tricky section with just 4 trombones and tuba will live long in the memory. This was composing of the highest order from such a young man, and his playing performance was equal to it.

The second half of the concert was devoted to the performance of Carmina Burana by the combined might of the Senior School Choir, Junior School Choir and the Arnold School Choral Society, along with a full orchestra and guest singers, Soprano Philippa Hyde and Baritone David Usher.

This is a piece that is full of contrasts, be they rhythmical, dynamic or tonal, and although it was always going to be a challenge for the Director of Music, Mr Julian Ross, to bring all the elements together, this he certainly did. One shudders to think of the amount of time and effort it took to bring this project to fruition, with different parts of the jigsaw being worked on separately until it all came together on the night so splendidly. This magnificent performance will long be remembered by all those fortunate to be in the audience as well as all those involved in performing. The opportunity for young musicians to hear and be a part of such wonderful occasions is one of the things that Arnold is about and long may this tradition continue.

Posted by: P R Oliver
Date: Friday 30/03/2007