Advent Lunchtime Concert

This was a Soloist Concert of a very high standard that involved Sixth Formers including Thomas Johnson playing the double bass, Amelia Barnes playing the piano’ and Robert Trice playing the drums.

Thomas Johnson opened the Concert and played Concerto in D Major by Capuzzi. Giuseppe Antonio Capuzzi (1755 - 1818) was an Italian violinist and composer. Although popular in his day most of his music is now forgotten. The most commonly performed piece is this concerto for double bass that Thomas performed today. It is originally a piece of music for solo double bass with an orchestra but the orchestra part has been arranged for piano making it a very exciting and tricky accompaniment. The double bass has not been a popular choice for a solo instrument, mainly due to the difficulties of balancing the soloist and accompaniment with the low register of the double bass making it difficult to project. However, Thomas was able to give a strong performance of this very challenging work.

Amelia Barnes played Prelude number 15 in Db major by Frédéric Chopin. This prelude is one of the longest of the 24 Chopin preludes. It is recognised by its repeating A-flat which appears throughout the piece and sounds like raindrops to many listeners, which is why the piece is known as the Raindrop Prelude. Apparently at the time of composing this piece there was a terrible rainstorm causing the sound of drops of water falling in rhythm on the roof. It is said that whilst playing his piano Chopin had a dream in which he saw himself drowned in a lake. Heavy drops of icy water fell in a regular rhythm on his chest.

This piece has been used in many films including the James Bond movie Moonraker, and has even been used in video games. Amelia used stunning expression to captivate the audience and gave a dramatic and engaging performance.  Robert Trice played a piece called Fusion. Originally, Fusion meant a mixture of jazz improvisation with the power and groove of rock. It is now basically music that blends jazz elements and the heavy repetitive rhythms of rock. It can use Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin and other styles with no real rules of how they can be mixed. Robert demonstrated an extremely high standard and gave an exciting and energetic performance coping with awkward polyrhythms and patterns whilst at the same time finding subtle ways to add colours, drama, intensity, textures and moods. 

Again this concert demonstrated the range of styles of music in the School and the high standard. Well done to all involved.

Natasha Cuin-Wilson (Music Teacher and Accompanist)

1st December 2011