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Southwark Concert
103 pupils ranging in age from 11 to 18 took part in a very well-received concert at Southwark Cathedral on Tuesday 2 March.
The concert began with the Concert Choir and the Bach Orchestra performing J. S. Bach’s Missa in F. The contrasting style of the three choral movements, containing some very demanding sections, was brought across very well by the choir, with orchestra giving them expert backing. The three solo arias were skilfully sung by pupils in Year 13: Samuel Carl (bass), Joanna Siddall (soprano) and Katie Matthews (mezzo-soprano), accompanied by Conor McIndoe on oboe and Lulu Little on violin.
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The Collegium Musicum, a string group specialising in playing Baroque music with period bows, next performed Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G. This performance had plenty of energy, with the opposing solo groups balancing well with the whole orchestra. The slow movement was an improvised solo played on the viola by Henry Zeffman in Year 11.
There followed a performance of Eric Whitacre’s “Water Night” by A Cappella, a group of 16 unaccompanied singers. The piece divides into 15 voice-parts at several points, but the group rose to the challenge, filling the resonant building with uplifting sounds. The contrast between the loudest and softest moments made for a thrilling performance.
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The Symphonic Band concluded the first half of the concert with Nigel Hess’s “East Coast Pictures”. The first movement had many tricky moments, which were beautifully executed by the woodwind instruments, backed up by solid chords from the brass. The second movement’s haunting trumpet melody was beautifully performed by Pierre Guenin, whilst the final movement provided a rousing finish before the interval.
The Symphony Orchestra began the second half with an accomplished performance of Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony. The cello section shone in its playing of many of the main melodies, and the whole string section played with excellent precision. The wind and brass provided excellent colour to the sound, with an exhilarating contrast between their gentle and strident playing.
The final item in the concert was Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”, performed by 84 pupils. The audience rejoiced to the sound of such an energetic performance and showed enormous appreciation of the great skill displayed by all the performers throughout the evening. LSSF, photos by Nicky Collins
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Highgate School, North Road, London N6 4AY