A packed audience in All Saints’ Church enjoyed the first lunchtime recital of the Summer Term on Wednesday 27 April, celebrating six duet partnerships from the previous term’s Piano Duet Competition. With strong support from their peers, staff, parents and the local community, pianists from Forms 1 to 5 presented a highly contrasting recital of music.
Baker & Charlie were on fine, impish form in their opening duet, Jack the Lad, relishing the work’s cross-rhythms and dynamic contrasts. Maya and her teacher, Mr Kang, impressed with a mature and poised account of Debussy’s Menuet from the Petite Suite, full of well-shaped and co-ordinated duet playing. Faith & Millie then excelled in the charming and lilting Sadie’s Waltz, capturing the character of the music which was inspired by Richard Rodney Bennett’s pet cat!
Charlie & Tomas gave the second ever performance of Carnival of the Undead, especially composed for them by their former teacher, Peter Foggitt. They relished its sinister passagework and lop-sided dance episodes, and demonstrated some memorable sheet music management! Evie and her teacher, Mr Kang, gave a beautiful, lyrical performance of a conversational movement from Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye, before passing to Eddie and Ethan, who gave an exuberant performance of Liszt’s challenging Festpolonaise to conclude a fabulous lunchtime recital.
Thank you to all the performers, their excellent teachers, and to Ms Bolt for co-ordinating the recital as Head of Piano.
