The evening of collaboration between the Music and History of Art Departments is always a beautiful affair, with the visual display of exciting and thoughtful works of art alongside some mesmerising performances. This year’s collaboration was titled The Sacred.
Eight Art historians from the Lower Sixth had researched and then delivered detailed descriptions of their chosen work of art. There was no doubt that we all learned a great deal by the end of the evening (Amelia O, Serena B, Freya H, Summer V, Daisy G, Mariella CD, Saskia R and Jim Z)
No evening of music linked to spirituality could exist without a representation of the serious devotion of J S Bach and so tonight’s performance began with a peaceful rendition of his 6th Brandenburg Concerto, 2nd movement (Maria T, Paddy C and Bo G) The ensuing cello ensemble of 12 pupils is an extremely rare sight and sound for any school. They soared through the exquisitely beautiful Hymnus by Klengel. (Bo G, Ben W, James W, Honor L, Jon S, Ludo M, Kate H, Rupert M, Antony L, Hugo I H, Nathaniel C)
Later in the programme, we were charmed by the exquisite and individual sound of a percussion ensemble: the shimmering of marimbas against the clarity of the Vibraphone, in an adaptation of Florence Price’s Adoration.
Alongside these we enjoyed a mixture of solo items. Camilla C’s voice soared above an elusive piano accompaniment in McDowall’s If there are angels, and then brought the concert to a close with three piano miniatures. In the first, Sunrise by Nevada, Camilla managed to make our stunning Steinway sing with a beautiful legato and cantabile line. The final miniature, A ghost in the Attic by Lenehan, explored the overtones within the piano in a highly imaginative (and spooky) way.
Ina Q (violin) gave a highly confident and strong version of Borowski’s adoration, before Jon Silk indulged us with one of Wagner’s most beautiful and thought-provoking Arias, O du mein holder Abendstern. James W (cello) brought tears to the eyes, with the heart-rending Prayer by Bloch and Lily I tried to lift us out of the world’s troubles with Wolf’s Verborgenheit.
The evening was a fitting end to the first half of term. Whether the audience were believers or not, the spiritual sentiments affect us all and help to bring us to a place of calm reflection.
Clare Toomer
Head of Keyboard
