Weekly Highlights 21st June 2024

Concert Department Review

Lunchtime Concerts
Some wonderful performances this week in the lunchtime concerts.

Monday saw a well balanced group of performances, between the ferociously technical to the sublime beauty of controlled lyrical melodies.

Tuesday we were treated to two classic pieces by Beethoven and Holst.

A fantastic Rhapsody in Blue by Anna and Florian Mitrea on Wednesday filled the room with such energy and enjoyment in their performance they had many cheers from the audience at the end.

On Friday delightful harp and violin performances serenaded us perfectly into a (hopefully) sunny weekend.

Well done to Iván, Zhuldyz, Rhea, Yazdi, Zev, Anna, Selin and Maria.
 
All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard
Four saxophone students were privileged to be the first performers in a new series of lunchtime concerts in All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard.

A large audience attended and were delighted with the quartet’s performance, many speaking afterwards to Purcell students and staff expressing how enlightening it was to hear saxophones played in such a way, from expressive to jazzy, contemporary and classical to Eastern folk orientated music.

The concert was a huge success and we look forward to being part of the next series.

Well done Katrina, Yulin, Keir and April.

Chiriari Quintet

We were delighted to hear that alumni jazz band, The Chiriari Quintet, have been enjoying a regular performance slot on Saturday evenings at Brendan the Navigator in Highgate. The quintet, whose founding members are Noah Cirari, Ted Porter, Freddie Garner, Djordie Jovanovic and Zaki Osahn, formed while the five talented jazz musicians were studying at Purcell.

The Chiriari Quintet has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of classic and contemporary jazz. Their performances at Brendan the Navigator have become a highlight of the local music scene, drawing in jazz enthusiasts from all over the area. The quintet’s repertoire includes a mix of original compositions and innovative arrangements of jazz standards, showcasing their skill and creativity. On occasion, they also feature a guest singer – none other than Year 7 singer Marija!

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued success. If you find yourself in Highgate on a Saturday evening, be sure to drop by Brendan the Navigator to experience the extraordinary talent of The Chiriari Quintet live. Their performances are not to be missed!

Forthcoming Events

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

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

Performers:
Chloe, Jessie, Jiahao and Phoebe