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The Princess Hall was the venue for this year’s annual Chamber Music Concert. All year groups were represented in a wonderfully varied programme. The large audience who attended had the pleasure of listening to 11 items of different instrumental combinations and heard a wide range of musical genres. 

First up was Mozart’s Symphony no.40, reduced for eight hands on two pianos which was no mean feat for our four pianists! Yannie, Cloris, Gloria and Jojo tackled this demanding work with authority. Our LC1 piano trio then performed Saltarello by Frank Bridge. Margaret, Grace and Alexandra captured the Spanish essence of this enjoyable piece superbly.  

Faith, Elise and Vivien’s string trio of Mozart’s Divertimento in D was refined and sonorous and Anya and Maya’s two movements of Faure’s Dolly Suite for piano duet was impressively played, all from memory no less. They displayed considerable eloquence of phrasing in the Berceuse. 

Violinists Nicole, Georgie, Ivy and Vivienne performed two contrasting pieces. Du bist die Ruh by Schubert had soothing long lines and this was followed by a spirited rendition of Apple by Charli XCX, with Charmaine joining them adding funky riffs on the double bass. Both these pieces were arranged for our performers by our very talented music staff member, Mr Carr. 

Four double basses followed with Charmaine, Lily, Jennifer and Claudia’s virtuosic performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of her Bumblebee.  This was contrasted with excellent articulation and energy in Mozart’s flute quartet played by Saskia, Maegan, Toby and Hannah.   

Next we had Jonna, Kaitlyn and Natalie’s energetic and polished performance of Beethoven’s Piano Trio no.4. We were then transported to another musical world by Julie and Janice’s ‘memorising’ playing of Saint-Saens Fantasie for Violin and Harp. The intricacies of this piece were so well captured.  

The penultimate item was Gounod’s Petite Symphonie performed by eight of our senior wind and brass players. Sofia, Audrey, Livvie, Costanza, Charlene, Mary, Zadie and Obasorekunmi performed meticulous attention to detail, sophisticated phrasing and a wholesome sound. 

The concert ended with Mohan, Lily and Kelly, our upper college jazz trio. They encapsulated what is so fantastic about performing chamber music, shown by their and communication and smiles between each other as they played.  

It really was an exceptional concert by all of the 37 girls that performed. 

Our thanks to the tech team who added lighting to the Princess Hall to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

Thank you to all the music staff that coached these groups over the course of this academic year. 

Mr Bailey, Head of Strings