The Summer Concert - unique and memorable performances

A tremendous and powerful utterance by the magnificent Brass Ensemble heralded a Summer Concert filled with palpable energy, technical prowess and inspiring teamwork and fellowship.

The Clarinet Ensemble followed with charm, humour and a light elegance enjoyed by all. Energico played one of their most poignant performances in recent memory with a rendition of Albinoni’s famous Adagio for Strings. Clive Osgood provided a compositional premier in the form of a highly affecting, slow movement from his Piano Trio in G, beautifully played by the trio of Milan Brinker, Amber Emson and Trevor Lui. Continuing this streak of questing modern music, the Senior Strings presented a ravishing excerpt from Shostakovich’s dark 8th quartet in C minor. 

The final three items brought together the prevailing themes of uplifting vitality and superlative musicianship in a remarkable way. The Brass Choir performed with their characteristic marriage of spirited brunt and melodious lyricism whilst humour and grandeur were brought to a punchy arrangement of Beach Boys’ songs by the Wind Band. 

The Reed’s Orchestra must be commended for two unique and memorable performances which, for a number of reasons, are among our very best. ‘Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence’ is a daring and innovative choice for a school orchestra and the solo piano part was consummately interpreted by Luca Spadano. Director of Music, Iain Carnegie’s arrangement was tailored to suit our orchestra and it has rarely sounded fuller, richer or more potent. To perform Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is a remarkable achievement for any youth orchestra, but to perform it with the confidence and style of our orchestra takes a particular kind of musicianship and teamwork. I can only doff my cap to our soloists, particularly Owen Price who tacked a fiendish piano part, and to Iain for driving the orchestra towards such a prodigious finale.

A standing ovation for our Upper Sixth leavers was a fitting valediction, both to a remarkable evening and to their musical careers at Reed’s.                                            

Simeon Smith, Music Department