A tantalising treat was on our musical menus last Wednesday, 1st December 2021, in All Saints’ Church. The woodwind section has always held a fascinating mixture of exquisite sonorities, and today’s selection certainly did not disappoint. Bea Selkirk (oboe), Valentina Jaeger (recorder), Daisy (saxophone), and Ivor (bassoon) took to the stage.
Bea opened the concert with Loelliet de Gant’s Largo cantabile movement from his Sonata in C major. Bea’s performance of such a rare piece was excellently styled, particularly through her attention to ornaments.
Remaining in the Baroque Period, we were followed by a sublime performance of Handel’s Sonata in F major for Recorder. Valentina took the audience on a journey through a sombre Grave section, followed by a jovial and spirited Allegro. A sombre Siciliano was again followed by a delightful Giga/Allegro, which was captured so beautifully with such clarity in Valentina’s tone. Valentina’s technical control of faster passages was superb throughout the piece.
We leapfrog almost 300 years to 1936, Paris, and Bozza’s Aria. Daisy brought a sense of yearning and lament through her instrument; it was indeed a rarity to hear a saxophone sing. What a gripping performance.
Finally, Ivor took us on a journey through the final movement of Saint-Saëns’ Sonata in G Major. This movement utilises the full range of the bassoon, and Ivor certainly stood up to the challenge, delivering bold depths and sensitive heights. The Allegro section of the piece involved tricky twists and turns, which were navigated brilliantly.
You can watch it here: Oakham School Lunchtime Recital – Wednesday 1 December 2021 (vimeo.com)