On Sunday 23 March, we held our first Concerto Concert in which nine pupils performed solo concerto movements with an orchestra composed of local professional musicians and other talented pupils. The concert opened with a powerful performance of Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto performed by stalwart of the department, Lachlan. His warm tone was evident throughout and the spirit of this buoyant classical music was captured brilliantly. The Rondo from Weber’s Bassoon Concerto revealed a more cheeky and playful nature and Louis played this virtuosic movement with style and aplomb. The classical character was again evident in Niklas’ stylish interpretation of the first movement from Mozart’s D Major Flute Concerto in which precision in articulation, difficult passagework and nicely contrasted dynamics was abundant. Gottfried Mann’s Clarinet Concerto is perhaps a little off the beaten track but Adam played this work from the Romantic era with verve and tenacity. The consistent sense of ebb and flow between soloist and orchestra was evident in an emotional work which brought the first half to a close.
The second half focused on concertos involving the piano and Lucas opened with the slow movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major. This was a lyrical performance in which the imitation between piano and orchestra was excellent, all performed by a pupil in the Second Year. We were then transported to the romantic era and the nordic soundworld of Edvard Grieg as Jerry performed the slow movement from the Piano Concerto in A Minor. The depth and tone of the piano playing was exceptional whilst the regular use of rubato resulted in a very successful interpretation. Our final performance of the evening was the Beethoven Triple Concerto, a huge challenge to pull together three soloists in almost a chamber music setting. Special mention to Katharine who stepped in at the 11th hour to perform the violin part in which a rapport with Thomas and Yubo was evident immediately. The technical and musical demands of this work are exceptional and was a very fitting way to end the concert in a a series of triumphant C Major cadences! We look forward to next year’s event already!
