Review: Schools’ Concert: Perth Academy

Jun 6 2008 by Alister Y Allan

THE fourth school concert at this year’s Perth Festival of Arts was given by Perth Academy and as in past years, the event attracted a good audience, which was treated to a varied programme of instrumental ensemble and solo music.

The programme began with the junior string quartet with Anna Seaton, Anna Sloan (violins) Amy Forbes (viola) and Laura Halkerston (cello), who played the appropriately named “Lunchtime Stroll” by Burgoyne, and the suite “Four Play Three” (English, Scottish Tune and Folk Dance) by Slack. The contrasted pieces featured good intonation, phrasing and well-balanced ensemble playing. All the girls are in S2 and this performance augurs well for the future.

Pianist Holly Hunter then performed Debussy’s Arabesque No.1 with a keen sense of nuance and dynamic contrasts. This was an excellent stylish performance.

Sean Law (double bass) then played Gouinguené’s Adagio, producing a rich legato tone which carried well in the vastness of the Kirk in an expressive performance.

A quartet of clarinets (Rachel Steele, Holly Hunter, Sarah Mitchell and Charlotte Donaldson) performed the demanding Caprice For Four Clarinets by Grundmann. This finely balanced group gave a delightful rendition with well negotiated changes of tempo and mood.

The second pianist was Amy Forbes who performed two contrasting pieces: Gigue, from Suite No4 in E minor by Handel which displayed good finger dexterity and musical phrasing and Melodie by Suk, very expressively played with fine legato touch.

Rachel Steele then performed the first movement of the Sonata N5 in D by Beethoven, whose sonatas for the instrument are considered very difficult. Rachel’s performance was mature in its understanding of the structure and style of the piece. Her tone production was rich and unforced, her technique good. The contrasts between the two main themes were well articulated. Martin Neilson, Principal Teacher of Music, played the demanding piano part with style and his accompaniment of other soloist sensitive.

Guitarist Allan Young (cousin of Rachel Steele), played “Wake of Jo Jo” by Morgan. This rock-based piece with recorded accompaniment was played with assured technique and musical ability.

The junior Brass Ensemble, which had opened the concert last Friday, played again “The Earl of Oxford’s March” by Byrd, arrangement Roberts, producing another well-balanced stylistic performance.

Andrew Forbes (organist) – brother of Amy – closed the concert with a wonderful performance of the famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by KJ S Bach. His changes in registration, illustrating the different timbres were just right. Changes in tempo and volume were dramatically expressed. The Fugue was nicely paced and built up effortlessly to its climax and fully deserved the ovation it received.