Our current Upper Sixth Music Award holders are collectively the most talented cohort I have seen at Cranleigh in twenty-five years. They have inspired each other during their time here, achieving significant personal milestones (possessing several Diplomas and multiple Grade 8 distinctions, in and amongst numerous wonderful concert performances) but they support each other, and the warmth in the room on Friday night ensured that this first concert of the year was a truly celebratory affair, as well as being a concert of the highest quality. Some of these young musicians have been with us since the age of 7 (at Cranleigh Prep School), and are now mature and sophisticated young artists and performers capable of a great range of expression; they possess notable technical control, and an ability to communicate with their audience with genuine passion for what they do.
A rich and varied programme began with a mellifluous performance of Grieg’s Sarabande given by the Chapel Brass, two of whom’s members later also gave stirring renditions of concertos for their respective instruments, and showcasing the full dynamic and tonal range that they are capable of; Rafe B. on the trumpet (Larsson’s Concertino), and Patrick A. on the trombone (Elizabeth Raum’s Concerto for Bass Trombone). Raeph A. gave a sensitive account of Weber’s Bassoon Concerto, and Charlie M. performed Sibelius’s Mazurka with just the right amount of panache. Both performers successfully found the intimate moments, and contrasted these with moments of fire and energy, and were alive to the idiosyncrasies of each composer.
Our singers, Maisy B., Ted S. and Mia P. communicated the texts of their songs with real understanding, and a sensitive approach to word-painting and nuance. English songs by Gurney and Quilter were beautifully controlled, with some gorgeous phrase-shaping and a mature understanding of rubato, and Mia found a quiet determination in Schonberg’s I’d Give My Life for You, from Miss Saigon.
Richard E. astonished the audience with his virtuosity on the button accordion in Monti’s Czardas, and on the piano in Liszt’s Liebestraume; both performances highlighting his exceptional ability to understand subtle control, but also demonstrating his fiery virtuosity when needed.
Our contemporary musicians, Brandon G. and Jamie T., performed with great enthusiasm and made difficult solo pieces look ridiculously easy; Brandon playing to a computer game video, and Jamie showing great virtuosity in two pieces by Eric Johnson, before being joined by Monty N. and Richard E. in the performance of the night as a band. High Fade’s Chameleon was dispatched with the authority of a band who have played together for years, were having the time of their lives on stage, and yet remained ice-cool in their presentation. Monty’s drumming was as virtuosic, easy-going and natural as ever. Never mind Oasis reunions, the future of music was right here at Cranleigh on Friday night, and it brought the house down!
