In our first live concert with an audience for over 18 months, we were treated to a highly attractive programme featuring some exciting musical Marlburian talent. As we ease back into normal performance proceedings, a small invited audience was able to witness a programme brimming with variety and colour in the setting of our beautiful Memorial Hall. My goodness, how we’ve missed this experience.
New L6 music scholar, Molly D, began proceedings with a dramatic and confident performance of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C# minor, Helvetica H-T (L6) was suitably delicate and expressive in Gluck’s O del mio dolce ardour, and Olivia M (Hu) showed admirable character and expression in Schubert’s A flat Impromptu. Bella B (L6) provided tremendous contrast and appropriate simplicity in Campion’s Follow Your Saint after which, Jenny J (U6) produced a vibrant and spirited performance of Bach’s E major Violin Concerto. Isabella M (U6) was most persuasive in Puccini’s O mio babbino caro (the top A flats were ravishing) and Ollie R’s (L6) humour and nimble dexterity shone brightly in a polished performance of Copland’s Scherzo Humoristique. Fresh from her exploits with the National Youth Orchestra in the summer, the impressive Emily A (U6) was at her brilliant best in Koechlin’s Trois Pièces and Poppy M (L6) and Allegra H (L6) produced some magical moments of drama and expert control in Milhaud’s Duo for Two Violins and Piano. Special thanks too to Miss Toomer for her bespoke accompanying throughout.
It may have been a relatively low-key event but it was the beginning of an important journey back to the rewarding and much-needed environment of live music. You simply can’t beat it.
Philip Dukes
Artistic Director
