Music Scholars' Showcase - Thursday 25th September

Date: Wednesday 24 September 2008

As so often stated in the past, and now reiterated once again, there is little better than a musical interlude to break up a busy St Edmund's day, and today we enjoyed just that, as five of our Music Scholars - some old, some new - entertained an audience in the Ivy Coleman Recital Hall.

The first newcomer was Sophie Belinfante who began the concert with Beethoven's 'Romance in F', and set the tone for a high quality programme with a lyrical performance of a challenging piece. Ex-Head Chorister George Inscoe then took to the piano stool, and gave us the 'Adagio Cantabile' from Beethoven's 'Pathetique Sonata'. This well-known melody was performed with sensitivity and a light touch. Polish romantic Wieniawski has attracted another ex-JS scholar, Ana Vandepeer, and she, with Spencer Payne as accompanist, offered another romance, the 'Romanze' from the 2nd Movement of the Pole's Violin Concerto No 2. Frederick White then turned to Messaien, and his 'Plainte Calme', based on the birdsongs which the composer heard during his peregrinations through the French countryside. The concert ended with a complete change of mood, as Thomas Vafidis attacked with some vigour the jazzy, bluesy, Sonata by Woods - whoever he may be!

Only three weeks into the new school year, and once again the high quality of our old - and new - musicians is starting to shine through. Just a pity that more of the pupil body - only three present! - were prepared to give half an hour of leisure time to support the performers on their debut for the term.