Purcell Pianist Outstanding in Local Festival
Congratulations to Year 10 pianist Celeste who was awarded two Outstanding Prizes at the North London Music Festival last weekend. Celeste, who studies at Purcell under Florian Mitrea, competed in the Recital and Romantic music classes.
Concert of Ukrainian Music
On Thursday 2nd May, Purcell’s CP Hall played host to a fabulous evening of Ukrainian music.
Organised by Residential Boarding Assistant Olena Bilash and performed by a cohort of students many of whom were Ukrainian, the evening featured vocal and instrumental music by famous Ukrainian composers from the 19th and 20th centuries, with the main composing schools of Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa briefly presented.
The concert opened with Year 11 pianist Dmytro performing Mykola Lysenko’s – the founder and systematizer of Ukrainian music – Elegy, and closed with Year 11 violinist Shlomi’s recital of Myroslav Skoryk’s Melody. This poignant piece of music has become an unofficial spiritual anthem for Ukrainians, used frequently in commemorations and widely performed internationally.
Congratulations to all of the students listed below who took part, and a particular thank you to Shlomi who stood in for a fellow student at the eleventh hour.
Solomiya (Year 11), Sonya (Year 9), Yifei (Year 12), Saule (Year 9), Dmytro (Year 11), Teodora (Year 11), Ivanna (Year 13), Zhuldyz (Year 12), Ostap (Year 11), Daria (Year 11), Nemunis (Year 10) and Shlomi (Year 11).
In the words of Olena Bilash ‘We look forward to continuing our acquaintance with Ukrainian music of the 21st century.’
5-A-Side Football Tournament
Following the success of last year’s inaugural 5-a-side football tournament, we are excited to announce that, on Sunday 9th June from 1pm, the beautiful game will return to the fields of Purcell.
Our thanks to Houseparent Rachel Price, Head of PE and Physical Wellbeing Hannah Noonan and Estates Supervisor Andy Milner for organising the event – Andy and erstwhile teacher Panos Fellas will also return as referees.
The tournament is open to Purcell students of all abilities. Last year’s competition was fun, fast paced and friendly – full of competitive play – and we would love to match (if not exceed!) this again. Sign up sheets are in the boarding houses. The more players that take part, the better the day will be.
Concert Department Review
On Tuesday 7th May, 20 Purcell students performed a varied programme of solo and ensemble music during a Lunchtime Concert at St Albans Cathedral. The programme included a string quartet written by Year 12 composer Adi, named ‘Devotion’.
Congratulations to all involved.
The three lunchtime concerts this week were as successful and varied as ever. The performances included piano, violin and flute solos as well as the Brahms Clarinet Trio and the Mendelssohn String Octet. Friday’s concert wholly consisted of Year 12 composition for flute and piano.
We are all enjoying the performances in the Recital Room this term, but it was a pleasing change and suitable for the larger groups to perform in the CP Hall on Wednesday.
Well done to Kevin, Sonya, Birce, Aaron, Ella, Anna, Dominic, Yu-Wei, Goulwenna, Antonia, Mina, Dianna, Ivan, Emma, Thomas and Suanoi.
Echo Ensemble Final Performances
After almost ten years, dozens of live concerts, four online series and over 100 world premieres, alumnus Noah Max’s Echo Ensemble will give their final two performances this summer at the Proms at St Jude’s and Thaxted Festivals.
The Echo Ensemble formed in 2015 when Noah Max was a student of The Purcell School. In the midst of writing his ensemble work, Three Echoes, Noah enlisted a group of fellow students to try out the piece and, in need of a group chat for the rehearsals, Echo Ensemble was born. While still studying at Purcell, the talented group gave their first public concerts.
Echo Ensemble will finish as they began by performing beloved masterpieces, championing new works and unearthing hidden gems. Tickets for their closing performances are available from the Proms at St Jude’s and Thaxted Festival box offices.
Proms at St Jude’s: Wednesday 26 June, 7.30pm
Thaxted Festival: Friday 5 July, 7.30pm
We wish them every success in these events and all that comes next.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.
Wednesday 13 May – Benslow Music Trust Concert
Time: 3.00pm
Venue: Benslow Music, Benslow Ln, Hitchin SG4 9RB
Tickets: Tickets are £10 (free admission for under 27s) and available to purchase here.
Join us as the exceptionally talented musicians from The Purcell School return to Benslow Music Trust for an enchanting afternoon of chamber music.
Programme
Joseph Jongen Elegie
Damase Quatre a Quatre
Dvořák Sonatina in G Major for Violin and Piano Op 100 B 183
Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet in B flat and Piano
Thomas McDonnell Flute Sonata
Wednesday 22 May – Khanh Nhi Luong Piano Recital
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: CP Hall, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
We are delighted to have Vietnamese pianist Nhi Luong perform here at Purcell!
Programme
Beethoven Andante Favori WoO 57
Schubert Piano Sonata No. 4 in A minor, D. 537, I. Allegro ma non troppo, II. Allegretto quasi andantino and III. Allegro vivace
Henri Dutilleux Piano Sonata Op. 1, I. Allegro con moto, II. Lied and III. Choral et variations
Dang Huu Phuc Drums (from Bunches of Flowers of Vietnam)
Wednesday 19 June – Singers’ Soiree
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Recital Room, The Purcell School
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Thursday 27 June – Grand Summer Concert
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
Tickets: Tickets are from £20 and available to purchase here.
To close the end of the academic year, The Purcell School is giving a concert at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 27th June. British conductor, organist and pianist, Wayne Marshall OBE, will perform Poulenc’s Organ Concerto conducted by Paul Hoskins.
In addition, after 31 years’ service, Edward Longstaff is leaving The Purcell School in July. To mark the occasion, Edward will conduct Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Ecce Sacerdos by Bruckner with support from a choir of alumni.
Performers
The Purcell School Orchestra and Choir
Wayne Marshall Organ
Edward Longstaff Conductor
Paul Hoskins Conductor
Susanna Fairbairn Soprano
Emma Carrington Mezzo-Soprano
Paul Austin Kelly Tenor
Andrew Greenan Bass
Programme
Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos Magnus
Poulenc Organ Concerto in G Minor
Beethoven Symphony No. 9
