By Mrs Jones (Music Teacher)

GCSE and A level music students were treated to an evening of wonderful music on Sunday when they travelled down to London to hear two concerts played by members of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The early evening concert was a celebration of contemporary composers in Music of Today: Kaija Saariaho and Hans Abrahamsen. Saariaho, a Finnish composer based in Paris for much of her life, wrote music which experimented with the use of electronic sounds alongside slow harmonic development, music which painted a picture from art or poetry which she was keen to emulate. Soprano Olivia Boen produced a heartfelt performance which transported the audience to a pastoral scene of hills and clouds beautifully accompanied by a small ensemble of strings, woodwind and celesta. 

The evening concert showcased the full force of the Philharmonia Orchestra playing under the baton of Andrew Manze and alongside Lise de la Salle, world renowned pianist, performing piano concertos by Haydn and Mozart in programme with Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ symphony.

Following the success and enjoyment of our students in being involved in the Composition Project last year, it was wonderful to see the same musicians performing as part of the orchestra and students enjoyed watching those who they’d recently interacted with at school, doing ‘their day job’ as part of the wonderful orchestra in the Royal Festival Hall.

An awe-inspiring concert which showcased the hugely talented soloist and musicians of the orchestra and gave our students an opportunity to see music which they are studying in the classroom, performed live.