This Wednesday, we were treated to a recital of Chamber Music for piano and strings.
The recital began with Emily, Findlay and Hattie performing Scales at six by Daniel Saleeb OO. The composer wrote this piece for his violin pupil, her brother and her mother, therefore it holds much sentimental value. Saleeb wrote in his notes that ‘this piece is about scales and simplicity, about growing up, and about remembering those days.’ Do not let the word ‘simplicity’ fool you; Scales at six contains many challenging moments where each performer must confidently hold their own line amongst the exposed texture. The audience was visibly and audibly impressed by the pupils’ fantastic performance.
Following this, Lucy, Mr Cropper and Findlay performed Allegro con brio from Beethoven’s String Trio in E flat major, op. 3. In this movement, Beethoven shows a remarkable, innate mastery of writing for this particular instrumental combination (violin, viola, ‘cello), one that produces a great variety of textures. Whilst beginning with a bold, energetic opening and combining syncopation and repeated chords in all three parts to great effect, Beethoven soon reduces the number of voices to two. Congratulations to our performers for a very professional performance.
