This week’s Music at Lunchtime recital featured Alex (F5) on the piano with a diverse and engaging programme, offering works from Mendelssohn, Debussy, Ravel, and Poulenc.
The recital opened with Felix Mendelssohn’s Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14, a piece that blends expressive lyricism with lively, technical flair. Originally conceived as an Étude, it evolved into a two-part work balancing a reflective Andante with the lively and technically demanding Rondo. Alex captured the flowing, song-like quality of the opening section before navigating the rapid passagework of the Rondo with clarity and precision.
Two brief but distinctive tributes to Joseph Haydn followed. First was Claude Debussy’s Hommage à Haydn, a delicate miniature written in 1909 for the centenary of Haydn’s death. In this piece, Debussy weaves the musical letters of “HAYDN” into his harmonic textures, blending Classical elegance with subtle modernity. Alex’s interpretation brought out the playful character while maintaining a clear sense of line. Maurice Ravel’s Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn, composed for the same project, provided a graceful contrast. With its refined harmonic language and nod to the courtly dance form, the piece was performed with a lightness of touch that conveyed its charm without overstatement.
The recital concluded with the first movement of Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for Piano Four Hands, performed by Alex and Anne Bolt. Composed in 1918 when Poulenc was just nineteen, the movement reflects his interest in the music of Bartók and Prokofiev through its playful ostinatos and irregular phrases. The duo handled the physical complexities of the piece – including overlapping hand positions – with ease, bringing energy and rhythmic vitality to the performance.
Well done to Alex, and Ms Bolt, for a wonderful recital.
The recording from this week’s concert is available online here.
Our next Music at Lunchtime recital will be on Wednesday 12 March 2025 and feature Form 7 pupil Evie with music for violin by Edvard Grieg.
