Professional Music in the Chapel: Masquerade

Last week Thursday we held our first Professional Concert of the school year. This was a huge success which really captured the audience’s imagination. It was lovely to be so well supported by pupils and the community.

Head of piano, Anne Bolt, and cello teacher Toby White, presented a captivating programme of Romantic-era music, including Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, and Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, adapted for cello.

The programme opened with Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, in which the performers displayed a well-coordinated partnership, particularly in the Sonata’s lyrical passages, which unfolded with a natural sense of flow.

This was followed by Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, where Ms Bolt and Mr White displayed considerable emotional breadth, moving seamlessly from the delicate lyricism of the first movement to the heightened intensity of the finale, effectively capturing Schumann’s imaginative character.

The programme concluded with an adaptation of Franck’s Violin Sonata for cello and piano. Both performers demonstrated a keen grasp of the work’s structural intricacies and expressive nuances, bringing the recital to a close with a performance marked by sensitivity and insight. The audience responded with a standing ovation.

“They were both terrific. Enjoyed by all!”

“How wonderful! Thank you for an amazing evening. We are so lucky to be able to attend your concerts. Bravo!”

“We were so so overwhelmed by the joy of that concert.”

“What a fabulous evening – they were both truly brilliant.”

“It was amazing – such a beautiful sound. Your concerts are always so immersive and engaging and such a joy to be part of.”

“An amazing concert last night – I loved the Franck Sonata – Well done!”

“Congratulations what a treat!”

Our music students who attended the evening had this to say:

“I thought that the music was very well chosen and highlighted both the piano and the cello at different times. I really loved the Franck and how different each movement was.”

“I really enjoyed the concert. Mr White and Ms Bolt were both amazing. The music was really emotional and gripping, as well as beautiful. Mr White’s programme notes were really helpful too. It was particularly fun to listen out for the different moods in the love story (Franck) in the second half. I wish I’d taken my Grandmother with me, she would have loved it too!”

If you want to experience another of our live music performances, come along to the Autumn Concert, Friday 15 November, 7.30pm where you will hear music from the Big Band, Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra & Symphony Orchestra.