The College has enjoyed 18 years in partnership with Sinfonia Smith Square, and the weekend remains a jewel in the crown of what it means to be a musician at Marlborough. The opportunity that our musicians have to play alongside such a prestigious orchestra of professional musicians is second to none, and the concert on Saturday evening highlighted how important that opportunity and experience is for the pupils in our charge.
Brasser opened the concert with Rampage! by Todd Stalter, which was an energetic and rhythmically driven piece that immediately set the tone for the evening; punchy accents and dramatic dynamic contrasts drew the audience in from the opening bars.
Contrasting this, in a piece that combined both reflective Spiritual nuances with Ragtime, Dixie, and Blues influences, Just a Closer Walk With Thee arr. Gillis and Custer, allowed for some wonderful instrumental features throughout, including frivolities from the lower brass and percussion sections. Robert Sheldon’s In the Shining of the Stars showcased Brasser’s ability to explore more expansive and lyrical writing. The piece unfolds with grandeur, with its sweeping melodies supported by full and rich harmonic textures, which were fortified by the ensemble’s full and robust playing. Joyance by Bruce Pearson ended Brasser’s programme, with a bright and celebratory spirit; the musicians communicated the piece with playful energy, and the enjoyment of playing this piece was evident both in the performers faces, and in the audience’s response.
The Chamber Orchestra opened with Kicho for Double Bass and Strings by Piazzolla, with Soloist Harry B. Performing with impressive confidence and musicality, Harry navigated the virtuosic passages with fluency whilst capturing the distinctive tango-inspired character of Piazzolla’s writing. The Chamber Orchestra provided a sensitive accompaniment, maintaining rhythmic vitality, and explored extended string techniques which enhanced the tonal colour of the performance. Following this, Tchaikovsky’s Élégie (Larghetto elegiaco) from his Serenade for Strings provided a moment of serene contemplation. This movement requires sustained phrasing and careful ensemble balance, and the pupils rose admirably to the challenge. The strings shaped the long melodic lines with expressive phrasing, and the darker, more introspective character of the music was conveyed with a mature sense of depth. The conductor guided the ensemble through the shifting textures with assurance, producing a performance of genuine musical sensitivity.
The Symphony Orchestra followed with the first movement of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, performed with Bo G as the Soloist. Bo brought a strong sense of drama and lyrical expression to the opening recitative-like passages, immediately drawing the audience into Elgar’s emotional world. Throughout the movement, she demonstrated both technical command and expressive maturity, particularly in the sweeping lyrical lines. The orchestra accompanied attentively, providing a supportive backdrop that allowed the solo cello to remain at the centre of the musical narrative. The concert concluded with Walton’s Crown Imperial; a fittingly majestic finale. The orchestra captured the ceremonial splendour of the work, with a confident sense of grandeur in the climactic passages. The noble central section was shaped with elegance, before the triumphant return of the main theme brought the evening to a rousing conclusion.
Overall, the concert was a testament to the dedication and musical growth of the musicians at Marlborough; to sit alongside a professional orchestra of such musical standing and be counted amongst them. The programme was ambitious, spanning a wide range of styles and demands, yet each ensemble approached every work with commitment and enthusiasm. From the opening rhythmic vibrance to the grandeur of Walton’s finale, the performances demonstrated both technical accomplishment and a high level of musicality, alongside, most importantly, a genuine love of music-making.
Adam Meehan-Staines
Deputy Director of Music, Head of Academic Music, Choirmaster and Director of Chapel Music.
