Weekly Highlights 17th May 2024

Prize Winning Concerto Performance in Italy

Last week Year 12 classical pianist Phoebe gave a prize winning performance of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op. 43 with The Mihail Jora Philharmonic Orchestra of Bacǎu conducted by Maestro Ovidiu Balan in the ‘32nd Città di Cantù International Competition for Piano and Orchestra 2024’ (senior up to age 35) and was honoured to be awarded the Second Prize! This year the competition had a record breaking number of applications of more than 100 and we are all extremely proud of Phoebe’s huge achievement as one of the youngest in this Competition!

In other news, the World Piano Teachers Association Italy International Competition results have been published and Phoebe has also received First Prize and The Special 20th Century Music Prize. Her Prize includes an invitation to perform in the WPTA Italy Gala Concert this Autumn as well as future concerts in Spain and Italy in 2025.

Heartfelt congratulations to Phoebe, who studies piano at Purcell with Caterina Grewe.

Purcell Pianist Wins International Music Competition

Huge congratulations to Year 12 pianist Yazdi who has won First Prize in the International Music Competition for Youth ‘Dinu Lipatti’ 2024, held last week in Tivoli, Rome. Yazdi, who was one to the youngest in his category, was awarded the prize for his performances at a celebratory gala evening on 10th May at the Scuderie Estensi di Tivoli.

Yazdi studies at Purcell under Patsy Toh.

Purcell Pianist Performs in Lithuania

On Saturday 11th May, Year 10 pianist Pijus gave a recital in one of Lithuania’s most unique concert halls, Paliesius Manor. Famous for its excellent acoustics, this most unique of stages saw Pijus perform piano works by Haydn, Liszt and Debussy to standing ovations.

Pijus, who studies at Purcell under Morta Grigaliunaite, is currently preparing for his next recital due to take place in June in Gdansk, Poland. We congratulate him on his recent recital and wish him the best of luck for his forthcoming performance.

Purcell Pianist Wins at Ealing Festival

Congratulations to Year 7 pianist Michael who last weekend won 1st Place in his category (aged 12 and under) at the Ealing Festival of Music, Dance, Speech and Drama held in the popular St Mary’s Church in Perivale, West London.

Michael competed in an exhibition programme which included Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso Op.14 and Khachaturian’s Toccata in Eb minor.

Michael studies at Purcell under Ilya Kondratiev.
 

Purcell Students Open for Rising UK Band

On Saturday 11th May, Year 12 Commercial and Popular Music students Oscar and Clementine opened for the Tors band on the final night of their UK tour. The duo sang a number by Tom Odell, as well as three of Oscars own songs, finishing with his newest piece entitled ‘Victoria Line’ which is due to be released next month.

Tors are a three -piece band from Devon who, this year, embarked on a major 28-date arena tour of mainland Europe to support James Blunt. Fresh from the success of their own UK tour, Tors are now heading to America for a series of sell-out shows.

What an amazing experience for Oscar and Clementine! Here’s to many more.
 

Art in Nature Overall Winners

What a triumph for the students of Purcell’s Art Department! Not one but three of our young artists’ have been awarded Overall Winner in the Art in Nature competition, with four pieces selected for inclusion in the winning video.

Congratulations to Da In (Year 12), Jessie (Year 12) and Teodora (Year 11)! Their winning pieces of artwork can be seen here.
 

5-A-Side Football Tournament

As featured in last week’s Weekly Highlights, Purcell’s next 5-a-side tournament will take place on Sunday 9th June (1pm). The tournament is open to all Purcell students with sign up sheets in each of the boarding houses. Additional information about the afternoon is available on the document below. If you are interested in registering, please do take a look!

Concert Department Review

Lunchtime Concerts
The lunchtime concerts were really well attended this week, on Wednesday we had a ‘full house’ in the audience, long may it last. Throughout the week violins, pianos, guitars, vibraphone and drum kit were much enjoyed by all. Well done to Mina, Tracy, Begum, Kateryna, Ekaterina, Michael, Gabriella, Tymofiy, Nathaniel, Rocco, Hannah, Mahla, Yifei, Katrina and Phoebe for your performances.

Benslow Music Trust Concert
Monday saw a very successful concert at the Benslow Music Trust. The concert consisted of a flute quartet, clarinet quartet, violin, clarinet and flute solos. As well as enjoying a full and appreciative audience in their concert, the students also had time to enjoy the beautiful garden and were treated to cakes and tea afterwards. Well done to Suanoi, Ekaterina, Arumina, Rosie, Birce, Thomas, Marina, Samsara, Rina, Isabella and Madeleine.
 

Forthcoming Events

In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our new online Concerts and Events Guide here.

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

Saturday 29 June – Midsummer Music Jazz Concert
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Stanstead Bury Farm, Ware, SG12 8JZ
Tickets: Tickets are £30 (drinks and canapes inc.) and available to purchase here.

The Purcell School and the St Albans Cathedral Music Trust are delighted to invite you to join us for a jazz concert in the listed 17th century rustic hay barn at Stanstead Bury Farm.

Wednesday 3 July – A Night of Jazz and Soul with Special Guest Natalie Williams
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Watford Palace Theatre
Tickets: Tickets are from £8-15 and available to purchase here.

Students from our Jazz, Commercial and Popular Music Departments will accompany UK Soul and Jazz star Natalie Williams, to present an exciting evening of Jazz and Soul music.

Expect familiar Jazz standards and Soul classics mixed in with Natalie’s own original songs.