Emanuel School’s Gala Concert on Monday 3 March at Sinfonia Smith Square was a breathtaking celebration of the exceptional musical talents of our pupils. Set in the stunning surroundings of one of London’s most renowned concert venues, the evening brought together an array of instrumental and vocal ensembles, as well as outstanding solo performances, to create a truly unforgettable night of music. See the Reel recap here.
The concert opened with the Senior Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble delivering a commanding performance of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, followed by a thrilling rendition of Ravel’s Bolero. The Senior Strings then brought a touch of lyrical beauty with performances of Fauré’s Pavane and Debussy’s La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin, displaying remarkable musicianship and control.
A particular highlight of the evening was the series of solo concerto performances, demonstrating the extraordinary ability of some of Emanuel’s finest young musicians. Emilia Cousins (harp) and Maisie Young (flute) gave a refined and elegant performance of the Allegro from Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto in C major, while Tallulah Green (clarinet) displayed expressive phrasing and technical assurance in the first movement of Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1. Hasan Tunalier (trombone) brought flair and virtuosity to the Rondo from Reiche’s Trombone Concerto No. 2 in A, rounding off a superb first half.
The second half saw further impressive solo performances, this time accompanied by the prestigious Berkeley Ensemble. Erdem Pamukcu (piano) gave a beautifully poised account of the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, while Benji Grigg (piano) brought great depth and sensitivity to the second movement of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The soloists were rounded off with a stunning performance of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, first movement, by Goncalo Martins, whose rich tone and expressive phrasing captivated the audience.
Schola Sonorum and Schola Cantorum provided further highlights, with Schola Sonorum’s serene rendition of Handel’s Pastoral Symphony from Messiah paving the way for Schola Cantorum’s moving performances of Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby and Mendelssohn’s How Lovely are the Messengers.
Bringing the concert to a triumphant conclusion, the Emanuel Symphony Orchestra delivered a dynamic performance of Holst’s First Suite in E-flat, capturing the grandeur of the Chaconne, the lively character of the Intermezzo, and the rousing energy of the March.
A huge thank you goes to all the pupils, staff, and guest musicians who made this spectacular evening possible. The Gala Concert was a true showcase of the passion, commitment, and excellence that define music at Emanuel School, and we look forward to many more performances of this calibre in the future!
– Mr Janz, Director of Music