Summer Celebration Concert Programme

PROGRAMME Personal recording or photography is not permitted during the concert. The concert will be recorded and distributed by the Music Department in line with the School’s policies after the event. Please note that this recording may include footage of members of the audience.

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Steve Foster conductor The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave), op. 26

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

In August 1829, Mendelssohn visited the isolated Hebridean island of Staffa, site of Fingal’s Cave, and the visit inspired the young composer to begin his famous overture the very same day. The dark hues of the work’s opening introduce the recurrent swells and turbulence of the piece. The second theme (also introduced by the ‘cellos) is one of the composer’s greatest melodies, and he interweaves these two themes in a hugely dramatic sonata form movement that remains one of the greatest musical seascapes ever written.

Romance: Andantino e cantabile (Grand Concerto in F major) Ivor Amende bassoon

J N Hummel (1778-1837)

It is enough (Elijah) Daniel Kelly bass

Mendelssohn

We celebrate two of our Form 7 music scholars as soloists in this pair of early-Romantic pieces. Johann Nepomuk Hummel was an Austrian composer whose transitional music connects the Classical and Romantic eras. The Romance from his Grand Concerto for bassoon showcases the characteristic rich sound of the instrument, with added soloistic flair in its elaborate and generous ornamentation. Mendelssohn’s bass aria, ‘It is enough’, is taken from the dramatic heart of his popular oratorio Elijah. Based on Old Testament text, Elijah sings for death by God’s hand as he flees his persecutors, and his pleas, both desperate and reflective, are reciprocated in the orchestral accompaniment.

Symphony No. 8 in G major, op. 88 iii. Allegretto grazioso - molto vivace i. Allegro con brio

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Whilst it may be less famous than Dvořák’s ninth symphony (‘From the New World’), his Symphony No. 8 marks a seminal moment in his development as a proud Czech composer. Written in 1889 at his country home in Bohemia, and premièred under his baton the following year in Prague, the work led to a falling out with his publisher (who attempted to insist on Germanic movement titles) as Dvořák sought to establish his Czech patriotism in his music. The symphony unquestionably broke new ground in the way that it is steeped in the atmosphere of Dvořák’s homeland, drawing on folk tunes and the sounds of the countryside.

The third movement will be performed first this evening, and it is a more lyrical Scherzo than the composer’s preceding symphonies. A Mendelssohn-esque lightness colours the

first section, which contrasts with a gently Bohemian trio. Only in the rustic Czech dance rhythms of the unusual coda does the enthusiasm of folk music return. The first movement opens with a stately chorale in G minor for ‘cellos, horns, bassoons and trombones, only for the birdsong melody of the solo flute to lead the music into its true tonality of G major. The juxtaposition of major and minor tonalities and a range of thematic material continues throughout the movement, becoming more emotionally charged through to its wonderful climax.

Highlights from Jurassic Park

John Williams, arr. Custer (b. 1932)

Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi movie Jurassic Park celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The score’s soaring themes and rich orchestration make it one of the best-loved in the history of cinema.

All are warmly invited to join us outside Chapel for post-concert refreshments.

PERFORMERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon Horn Trumpet Trombone Timpani Percussion Piano Violin1

Felix Morgan, Shonali Banerjee, Ibti Al Sayigh Matthew Rose, Beatrice Selkirk, Zadie Berkin-Evans Helen Williams, Harry Kinnear Ivor Amende, Danté Scott-Horne Daniel Kelly, Joshua Davis, Charlie Nicholson, Victoria Schofield Baker Mbogo, Steve Walton Archie Foster, Will Fearn, Ottó Stone Ryan Hou Nicholas Tall Samantha Hughes Maya Mbogo, Emily Yoo, Elsa Marsh, Millie Headley, Faith Taylor, Katherine Collison Violin 2 Evie Holder, Torah Savant, Lara Nesselhut, Ash Stephenson, Mia Birke, Ruby Dudin, Ethan Chan, Harriet Devenyi, Maxim El-Sheikh, Emma Markillie, Feodora Freienstein, Lucy Collison Viola Obi Osuji, Samantha Hughes, Tomas Dickinson, Alexa Berkin-Evans ‘Cello Findlay Marsh, Ethan Taylor, Ansh Verma, Elizabeth Edwards, Isabelle White, Atéa Yu Double Bass Andy Maycock

UPCOMING CONCERTS OAKHAM CHORAL SOCIETY Sunday 25 June, 5.00pm (Oakham School Chapel) Bob Chilcott The Voyage Wood Fantasia on British Sea Songs Tickets £8

PROFESSIONAL MUSIC: CLASSICO LATINO Thursday 21 September, 7.30pm (Oakham School Chapel) A one-hour concert by renowned fusion ensemble, blending classical and Latin American styles £10 in advance, £12 on the door, free for school-aged children

GLORIA! A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Friday 13 October, 7.30pm (St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray) Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra & Symphony Orchestra Music by Britten, Fauré, Shostakovich, Strauss & Vivaldi £10, £5 school-aged children

AUTUMN CONCERT Friday 10 November, 7.30pm (Oakham School Chapel) Big Band, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra & Joshua Davis horn Music by Duke Ellington, Shostakovich, Strauss & Vaughan Williams Free, tickets required

Tickets are available from WeGotTickets.com, or 01572 758820.

For moreboxoffice@oakham.rutland.sch.uk, information please see the Arts Calendar To book tickets, please telephone 01572 758820, email boxoffice@oakham.rutland.sch.uk or visit www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk