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"I'm delighted I sent my sons to Habs. It offers much choice and has certainly inspired them to achieve their full potential." |
Dr Sussan Nourshargh, Professor of Pharmacology, Barts. |
Orchestral Concert
The Music Department saw in the New Year in style with the Orchestral Concert playing to a packed Seldon Hall on Thursday January 21st.
The first half proved popular as the intimate setting suited wonderfully the solo, duet and small ensemble performances. The Violin Ensemble opened with a lively and impressive Telemann sonata, setting a high standard which was beautifully matched by James Swaden’s lively and confident Violin solo. The Mojo Quartet, under the watchful eye of Bjorn Bantock, provided a rousing rendition of Piazzola’s South American style quintet ‘La Muerte Del Angel’. Oliver Wheeler and Casey Chan continued to make the audience’s toes tap with Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’ before the Chamber Strings rounded off the first half with minimalist composer Michael Nyman’s take on Mozart’s Don Giovanni, bolstered by electric violin and cello and two keyboards.
The second half saw two of the larger Music Department ensembles take to the stage. Philomusica took to the stage with a stormy performance of Hans Zimmer’s music from ‘Gladiator’, with soaring trumpet melodies and singing strings, the orchestra was bolstered by four keyboards providing depth to the vivacious performance.
However, in stark contrast, the Symphony Orchestra took to the stage to accompany School Captain Aaron Taylor’s performance of the first movement of Mozart’s Flute Concerto. The orchestra played with sensitivity as Aaron’s beautiful and refined performance sang out above it. An impressive performance by any standard. The Orchestra then stamped their mark onto Ives’ ‘Variations on America’ displaying stylish and vibrant playing and finishing the evening off in excellent form.
The evening also saw Matthew Naughton receive the Sheila Watson Prize for String Playing, acknowledging his contribution to orchestral and ensemble playing at Habs.
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