Music Scholars' Concert
On Monday evening Music Scholars and Exhibitioners old and new performed in the Scholars' Concert in the Exam Hall, attended by about thirty parents, siblings, and members of the public. The repertoire was characteristically varied, though largely nineteenth century.
The concert opened with the Overture from Bizet's Carmen played on the trumpet by new music exhibitioner Thomas B (4ths). This was followed by the extended Allegro by Mozart, played by Dhiren K (5ths) on the piano. Rafi A (Divs) then played Faure's graceful Elegie on the cello, before flautist Krish Shah (Divs) played the dainty Una Folia a Roma di Federico Ricci by Galli. Perhaps one of the highlights of the concert was the piano playing by new music scholar Steven K (4ths) of Ginastera's challenging and lively Danza del gaucho matrero, which was especially noted by the Head Master's wife.
The sole singer, Milan A (Divs), sang the first song in Schumann's song cycle Myrthen entitled Widmung with elegant lightness, before Kaihan T (U3rds) took to the piano to play two virtuosic movements of Beethoven's Sonata No. 1 in F minor. Kian C (5ths) then played the second of Dvorak's Four Romantic Pieces on the violin. Another new scholar, Ethan G (4ths) played the Impromptu in G-flat by Schubert, before Ben C (5ths) came to play the first movement from Crusell's Clarinet Concerto No. 1.
This was followed by the well-known Presto Agitato from Beethoven's 'Moonlight' Sonata played by Ben Y (Divs), which he played with great energy and enthusiasm. Aiden de A (4ths) was another new music scholar to perform: he played the Allegretto quasi menuetto from Brahms's Sonata in E for cello and piano. The penultimate performance was from Hugh S (5ths) on the horn, who played with great poise the slow movement from Damase's Sonata for Horn and Piano. The evening closed with Dominic D's (L6ths) rendition of Debussy's Arabesque No. 2.
The concert was not, however, the only event of the evening. At 5 o'clock the scholars enjoyed a splendid spread of Afternoon Tea in the Recital Hall. It was an opportunity to enjoy good food and good company, and for the scholars to spend time together as a cohort. We hope that this will be the first of many such occasions.