The final concert of the academic year took place in Holy Trinity Church in early July in front of a large and appreciative audience. Showcasing works for both chamber and symphonic ensembles, this proved to be a fitting way to draw such a fantastic musical year to a close.
Showcasing the talents of our accomplished musicians
The evening began on a lively note with the first movement Ibert’s Trois Pièces Brèves, performed by the Senior Wind Quintet whose crisp articulation and lightness of touch matched the composer’s playful intentions. The Menuet from Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, performed by the RGS Piano Trio, followed. This was beautifully shaped with careful attention to detail. Beneath its graceful surface lies a work of subtle complexity, which the trio navigated with impressive musical maturity and poise.
George Butterworth’s Six Songs from A Shropshire Lad provided one of the evening’s most poignant moments. Sung by a trio of soloists (Ben P, Orlando M and Oscar F), these moving settings of A.E. Housman’s poetry were delivered with a maturity beyond the performers’ years. Oscar’s rendition of Is My Team Ploughing?, was particularly moving in its understated yet heartbreakingly beautiful interpretation.
Concerto consort and schola cantorum perform in beautiful harmony
The first half of the concert concluded with a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs. Featuring the combined forces of Concerto Consort and Schola Cantorum, in addition to four different soloists (Oscar F, Alex J, Ralph M and Daniel B), this was not easy music to perform. However, the ensemble rose admirably to the demands of the score, delivering a performance that held the audience enraptured from the outset. The third movement, Love Bade Me Welcome, one of the work’s most intimate settings, was performed with sensitivity, with the contrast between soloist and softly humming chorus drawing out the emotional intensity of George Herbert’s text.
After the interval, the music of Joseph Haydn took centre stage. His String Quartet in D major, Op. 76 No. 5 was performed with precision and stylistic elegance, showcasing the quartet’s technical control and awareness to the overall balance in the ensemble.
The programme concluded with the grandeur of Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 “London”, conducted by Mr Dale Chambers. The orchestra’s interpretation was full of character and vitality, capturing both the grandeur and wit that define Haydn’s final symphony.
An impressive end to the musical year
This was an immensely impressive way to bring the year to a close – even more so given that musicians from both the Fifth and Upper Sixth Forms, normally a core part of these concerts, were missing. To have such musical depth and strength in such young players is remarkable and we look forward to these musicians further developing their talents in the years ahead. A huge thank you to all the staff involved who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the evening such a success.