September 21st 2018
The second lunchtime recital of the term featured two treble voices – those of Hendrik Ashbrooke (Exh.Mus 3g) and Angus Williams (Sch.Mus 3c)—amongst five instrumental performances. Fauré’s Pie Jesu—from the Requiem—was sung superbly by Angus, with an almost bell-like tone, and the very beautiful Ave Maria (attributed to the sixteenth century composer Caccini, but with harmonic language which would suggest that to be an impossibility) by Hendrik with great style and a sense of occasion. Jack Pyman’s (4e) performance of the third movement of Vivaldi’s Concerto in A minor for violin was well poised and very musical, while Benedict Mercer (Sch.Mus L6b) showcased Glière’s Romance Op 35, no. 6 on the French Horn with a superbly controlled performance. Jordan Mwangola (Exh.Mus L6e) was on great form on the trumpet in Hubeau’s Spiritual—a well known piece brought to life by well-prepared playing—and finally Tom McCaig (Exh.Mus U6b) gave a well polished and exacting performance of Piazzolla’s Tango-Étude No. 3 on the alto saxophone, ahead of his ATCL diploma exam in November.
