Congratulations to Year 12 classical pianist Yazdi who was honoured to receive First Prize at the Munich Piano Competition 2024. The competition, which took place during the May half term, was held at the Johannissaal of Nymphenburg Palace in Munich.
Following his return to the UK Yazdi also won the Senior Section of the 2024 Bromsgrove Young Musicians’ Platform. The audition round and Final Concert were both held at Routh Concert Hall in Bromsgrove and involved performing a selection of contrasting pieces. The Platform is a national competition for young instrumentalists and singers which is run by the trustees of the renowned Bromsgrove International Musicians’ Competition.
Yazdi, who studies at Purcell with Patsy Toh, is currently preparing for his performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.1 with the Bedford Sinfonia, which is due to take place in a few weeks. Hugely well done, Yazdi, and the very best of luck for the Rachmaninoff!
Concert Department Review
Romanian Trip
Last week, three of our students, Herman, Rhea and Shlomi had the opportunity to travel to Brasov, Romania for a full week to perform concerto repertoire with the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by our Director of Music, Paul Hoskins. The programme included Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3, the Mozart Oboe Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Violin. Both students and staff had a wonderful week, filled with music and exploration of a new city.
Lunchtime Concerts
Monday and Wednesday brought fine performances from some of our woodwind students presenting movements of their sonatas in preparation for the woodwind sonata competition which took place on Wednesday. Beautifully performed voice, piano, violin and cello pieces complemented these from other students throughout the week.
On Tuesday we were very pleased to welcome the Jazz Choir for the whole concert, where we were treated with such classics as Let it Be and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Well done to the choir as a whole and to their soloists.
Thank you and well done to all who performed this week: Thomas, Suanoi, Saule, Anthony, Daniel, Birce, Ivanna, Zhuldyz, Chaeyu, Ruize, Cole, Angelica, Albert, Ramona, Clem, Adi, Julianna, Marija, Lilly, Clara and William.
Avison Mural Sneak Peek
It is a pleasure to be able to share some ‘work in progress’ photos of the Avison Mural. This stunning student led project, comprised of our young artists from KS3 to KS5, is in full flow and Head of Art, Victoria Samuel would like to say a special thanks to Willow, Gabe, Ali, Birce, Izzy, Ramona, Clementine and Birce (Year 12) for their fantastic work so far.
5-A-Side Football Tournament
We wish all students taking part in Sunday’s (9th June) 5-a-side football tournament the very best of luck! Enjoy the matches, play with confidence, have some fun, and see what happens. We look forward to reporting on the results next week.
Alumnae News
Magdalene Ho
Pianist and alumna Magdalene Ho, who won the prestigious 2023 Clara Haskil Competition, has been making impressive strides in the classical music world. In a recent article from Gramophone magazine, her exceptional talent was highlighted through her performance at the Royal College of Music’s Chappell Medal Competition. During this event, she captivated the judges with her interpretation of Schumann’s Davidsbündlertänze and Scriabin’s Seventh Sonata, leading to a unanimous first-prize verdict. The full article is available to read here.
Magdalene studied at Purcell under Patsy Toh, and is currently studying with Dmitri Alexeev at the Royal College of Music. We look forward to seeing where her musical journey takes her next!
Jas Kayser
In more new from past Purcellians, it was fantastic to watch coverage of the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final and see jazz drummer and alumna Jas Kayser performing with Lenny Kravitz as part of the Kick Off Show by Pepsi.
Ahead of the match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on Saturday 1st June, the American singer-songwriter performed shortened versions of some of his biggest songs with support from his sensational band, of which Jas plays drums.
Jas studied at Purcell from 2012 under Darren Altman.Footage of the Kick Off Show is available below.
Nafis Umerkulova
Concert pianist, and teacher of piano here at Purcell, Nafis Umerkulova will be performing the final concert in the Philomel Creative Circle’s ‘Musical Dialogues’ series on Saturday 15th June at 6pm in St Cuthbert’s Church, Earl’s Court.
Joana Ly (violin) and Eun Cho (cello) will join Nafis (piano) to perform Maurice Ravel’s monumental trio for violin, cello and piano, followed by a trio from 19th century German composer Fanny Mendelssohn and a trio by a contemporary French composer Raphaël Novarina (UK Premiere).
Additional event information and tickets are available here.
Forthcoming Events
In addition to those highlighted events below, please visit our online Concerts and Events Guide here.
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 Gareth Dafydd Morris Tenor Andrew Greenan Bass
Programme Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos Magnus Poulenc Organ Concerto in G Minor Beethoven Symphony No. 9
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.
Wednesday 3 July – Piano Department Concert at St James’s Piccadilly
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: St James’s Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LL, UK
Tickets: Free admission. No booking required.
Programme: Beethoven 32 Variations in C minor, WoO 80 Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse, L.106 Liszt Grande Etude de Paganini in E flat Major, S.141 No.2
Chopin Scherzo in E Major, Op.54 Prokofiev Toccata in D minor, Op.11 Scriabin 24 Preludes, Op.11 Nos. 2, 3, 10, 11, 17, 18
Rameau Suite in E minor, RCT2 No.4 ‘Le Rappel des Oiseux’ Chopin Ballade in F Major, Op.38 Ravel Alborada del gracioso (from Miroirs 1905) Rachmaninoff Moments Musicaux in C Major, Op.16 No.6
