A
delightful concert of
chamber music and solos in
the Chapel graced the third
week of the Lent term. It
was good to hear such highquality
music-making from
individuals and small performing groups - the
larger groups were to have their moment later
in the term!
An impressive feature of music at King's at the
moment is the sheer number of string quartets
operating at any one time! Alice Brooksbank,
Ginny Nash, Jossie Zilkha and Katie Butler
treated us to a beautiful performance of
Schubert's Ave Maria. Their intonation was
secure, and that all-important sense of
togetherness had been carefully crafted through
much rehearsal.
They were followed by Joan Middleton and
Flora Webster singing a vocal duet from Les
Choristes by Bruno Coulais. These are two
beautifully produced vocal sounds, and they
blended perfectly together. After a confident
and assured performance by Olivia Higgs of the
Allegro from a Violin Sonata in F by Handel, we
returned to the voice, as Bryony House sang
Lascia La Spina by Handel. Bryony has a
confidence and presence on stage that belies
her years, and her lovely, well-rounded sound
was enchanting, as was her subtly authentic
ornamentation.
Sinnie Kaorattana treated us to the Giga from
the Concert Sonata Op 2 No 3 by Veracini - a
bold and nerveless performance, full of fluent
passagework. Alice Bevan then sang two vocal
solos, Music for a While by Purcell and
Haydn's With Verdure Clad. Alice makes a
really mature soprano sound, and has a
thrilling high register to her voice, and she was
in fine form, effortlessly hitting the high notes
and nimbly managing fast runs.
Another of our string quartets, Sinnie again,
Max Spreckley, their coach Jennie Morris and
David Bidgood, then took to the stage with the
first movement of Mozart's Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik. This is one of our younger
performing groups, but you would hardly have
known by their playing. Lovely, warm string
sounds and carefully rehearsed dynamic
contrasts belonged really to far more
experienced players.
The finale to the concert was left in the hands
of seasoned performer Peter Oakley, who
delighted yet again. On this occasion he
treated us to two solo vocal items for countertenor,
accompanied by yet another string group,
Jessica Dalwood, Jennie Morris, Emily Dalwood
and Katie Butler. Peter never fails to deliver a
performance of the highest quality,
sophistication in phrasing and nuance, and a
complete identification with style. A brilliant
end to an excellent concert.
Aluredian
49
Chamber
Concert
by
Chris Holmes
Ginny Nash in the string
quartet that opened the
January chamber concert