Tindall Recital Series: Mr. Nordin (Trombone) and Ms. Kurutac (Piano)
Joint Schools’ Events
Joint Schools’ Unplugged
Joint Schools’ Prep Schools’ Choral Day
Choir
Weekly Abbey Services
Chamber Choir Dinner
Jazz
Jazz Concert
Articles
Half Term Harmony: R. Fisher
How Mixtapes changed my life: Mr Crawford
Other
Closing Notes
Thanks...
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of The Blue Notes, Sherborne Boys’ Music Magazine.
With music being a huge part of life at Sherborne, and with the recent change in Director of Music, the Music School has already set off running this year, providing large amounts of volume to exciting performances and events.
As editor, I think that it is safe to say that the first half of the Trinity Term has been extremely busy in the Music School. From Courtsfest at the beginning of term to our most recent Friday lunchtime concert at Cheap Street Church, everyone has been working incredibly hard to contribute to a vibrant and lively musical community
In this first edition of The Blue Notes, you’ll find articles highlighting key events from across the term from major concerts and festivals to Chamber Choir dinners and even a bit of jazz. We hope you enjoy reading about everything that has taken place, and that this magazine gives you a glimpse into the extraordinary musical life here at Sherborne
Happy reading!
Sirtaaj G. (3a) - Editor
Exclusive interview with...
Sherborne Boys’ new Director of Music,
Mr. Eadon
Interview by Sirtaaj G. (3a)
Have you attended any school events outside of music? If so, which ones stood out to you?
I have been to many of the house plays which have taken place so far. Including the School House Play. I refereed some of the rugby matches back in the Michaelmas Term. I've watched some of the cricket and it’s very important to see some of the boys who struggle in class and choir and can see the environment in which they thrive and can bring that back to normal interactions with them.
It’s also nice to see the school community working like this and to see everything taking place so nicely around the school.
Do you have a favourite moment so far from your first year at the school?
There have been many highlights Such as performances, services and concerts
Lovely interactions with boys around the school and to be surrounded by so many great colleagues
I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by an amazing team of like minded amazing individuals
How does teaching music here compare to other places you ’ ve worked or studied?
In a lot of ways it is mostly the same everywhere you go
The thing at Sherborne is that it has a reputation in the sense that music is probably the most important thing at the school It also means that if the Music Department need to take a boy from a match they will be able to come and do music because many people around here in Sherborne who live here and listen to us really respect what we do.
I think that this is something that is different to Sherborne than other schools I’ve been at.
What was your first impression of the school and its students?
Sherborne Boys’ is a place I have known for a long time as my parents have lived here for 20 years So I have known that buildings and town for a long time
In terms of the inside working of the school, I have seen a very happy community which always enjoys what the music department is creating and values everybody in the community
What first sparked your love for music, and how did that journey lead you here?
My dad was a recording engineer and worked for DECCA records which meant I went to quite a few recording sessions
One of my first musical experiences was listening to Elgar’s Enigma Variations with The RPO I had just started playing the cornet at the time and was able to sit behind the Brass Section which was amazing
I was able to get very involved in everything that took place
If you could perform any piece with the students, just for fun, what would it be?
There are lots of pieces which I remember performing when I was the age of many boys here Such as trombone repertoire
Things such as classical symphonies and I also enjoy counterparty music and early music and enjoy that music does not stop and keeps on living and that there is more to discover
I think performing something new which no one has ever performed before, is something that gives me quite a buzz and being able to show boys what new songs the music world has to offer.
A few moments with...
Mr. Harris School Housemaster
Interview by Sirtaaj G. (3a)
How would you describe the role of music in your Houses daily life?
“Throughout the day it allows boys to have something different to their other commitments and allows them to get out of the house and day room. It also allows the boys do something if they don't shine on the sports fields or in the classroom.”
“As a House we can only support the boys in what they do”
Do you think that School has a specific ‘sound’ or music identity?
“If I had to pick an identity it would probably be Xan’s Bagpipes. Xan’s bagpipes are something which people notice because they are different. Another example would be when people came to watch the School House play and saw the band and people would remember it because it was different Many boys would not also know that Xan plays the bagpipes and is in School House which represent that it is different ”
Can you share a moment where music brought School House together?
Not our House singing! Sometimes it is good to fail and we will definitely bounce back next year ”
“We used to have House concerts were pupils in the House from all grades would perform It used to take place in the OSR and parents would come and watch, which I thought was a really nice evening ”
If your house were a band, what would its name and genre be?
“Some sort of eclectic type of music to represent how busy the house can get and how chaotic things can be sometimes.”
“I think a name such as crowded house would probably suit the life in the house and describes the different personalities of people ”
How important do you think music is to building a sense of community within your house?
“It’s really nice to see during roll call big gaps because boys are at choir and seeing boys from different years forming together helps with cohesion in the House
An example of the house band where everyone from each year group participated was a nice thing to see
Other things like singing 12 days of Christmas after our House supper with Wishy on the piano and everyone from different years joining in representing the House and its spirits. Also when karaoke takes place for socials. I can remember when five Digby boys, matron, Mr Crawford and Cedric were all singing together and that is something which music can do.”
Have you ever discovered a new artist or song through the boys in House and followed that artist?
“A while ago, boys used to listen to an artist called Frank Ocean which is one that has probably stuck ”
ATCL Distinction
Oscar B. (U6f)
Tuba - ATCL Distinction
Upper Sixth Music Scholar, Oscar B, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone, earning a Distinction in his ATCL Tuba Diploma an outstanding accomplishment and a fitting reward for his dedication and musicianship. Undertaking a diploma of this instrument alongside the pressures of A Level examinations is no small task.
Without a doubt, Oscar rose to the challenge with extreme dedication and hard work. Last month, he presented his examiner with a programme featuring works by Benedetto Marcello and Paul Hindemith, both of which showcased his technical command, stylistic awareness, and expressive capabilities.
The examiner’s report was glowing, praising Oscar’s performance for its 'contextual awareness and clear understanding of composer intent', and describing his playing as 'fluent and communicatively engaged'.
We warmly congratulate Oscar on this tremendous achievement and look forward to following his musical journey in the years to come as he leaves this year to study music at Oxford
The Blue Notes Pg.6
ARSM Distinction
Jack A. (U6e)
Saxophone - ARSM Distinction
After months of preparation, practice, and a lot of hard work, Jack has been rewarded with an outstanding Distinction in his ARSM Diploma for saxophone.
His programme was full of contrast and colour, featuring music by Telemann and jazz legend Phil Woods a combination that gave Jack the chance to show off both technical skill and musical personality.
The examiner clearly agreed, praising his recital for its "highly committed and convincing playing" and noting his "excellent technical security" throughout the performance.
Jack’s playing is well known in the music school for his technical ability and core musicianship within ensembles such as the Swing Band. With high precision for Telemann’s intricate piece to Phil Woods’ jazz, Jack handled it all with real confidence and musicality
A huge congratulations to Jack on this brilliant achievement as Jack leaves this year he will be remembered for his great musicianship and dedication towards the saxophone
The Blue Notes
Courtsfest
To kick off this years musical events, the annual Courtfest took place on Saturday 26 April.
As part of a sixth form social event, pupils were able to play carnival style games, help themselves to food and drink; but most importantly had a chance to listen to some music.
At the heart of it all was the music Performances took place inside the BSR and were streamed live onto a big screen outside in the courts. There were standout performances from the Upper Sixth Band at the Boys’ School, who kicked off the night with energy and style, followed by the U5 Band from the Girls’ School, bringing their own fantastic set to the stage A mixed band consisting of members from the girls and Boys’ School sang covers of songs like Hotel California, getting plenty of people singing along To finish the night on a real high, Alex B (U6d) took to the stage for a brilliant solo performance, allowing the night to be a real high note!
With performances taking place inside the BSR, with a live link to a large screen in the Courts, whilst enjoying an evening of street food.
It was the perfect way to start the term’s musical diary- with a fun evening and great music.
Performance List:
1. U5 band
2. Soloist
3 Joint U6 band
4 Alex B - Soloist (U6d)
The Blue Notes Pg.8
Sherborne Abbey Festival:
Chamber Music Ensembles and Soloists
Sherborne Schools’ Joint Wind Quintet
Article written by Mrs
Jackson
The Joint Schools’ Wind quintet was formed in the Michaelmas Term and these talented musicians have worked t l ll t th
Sherborne Boys’ Brass Band
Article written by Sirtaaj G(3a)
To conclude an afternoon of entertainment, the Brass Band delivered a powerful performance of Grand Chœur Dialogué by Eugène Gigout, featuring an outstanding organ solo by choral scholar Ollie M
Under the direction of Mr Costin, the Brass Band captivated the audience during the Lunchtime Concert’s finale. With a range that showed bold brass fanfares to majestic organ notes, the ensemble including ten members the Brass Band was joined by Mr Marks on the snare drum and James W (L6b) on the timpani's
They reached the semi final stage of the Pro Corda National Chamber music competition back in February and have showcased their talent in various venues this year, including the Gr y q g p y account of Norman Hallam’s ‘Charleston’ from his Dance Suite
The performance from Brass Band consisted of ten members:
Trumpet 1: Archie G (L6f), Hugo T (L6d)
Trumpet 2: Sirtaaj G (3a)
Trumpet 3: Luke A-D (3b)
French Horn: Louis R (5e)
Trombone 1: Archie S-B (L6f)
Trombone 2: Jack M (4a)
Trombone 3: Edward K (4g)
Tuba: Oscar B (U6f)
Organ: Ollie M (Organ Scholar)
Snare Drum/Cymbal: Mr Marks
Timpani's: James W (L6b)
The Blue Notes Pg.9
Sherborne Abbey Festival:
Chamber Music Ensembles and Soloists
Swing Band Directed by Mr Marks
Another annual performance took place from the Sherborne Boys’ Swing Band. Under the new direction of Mr Marks this year the Swing band performed at the Abbey Festival at 5pm in the BSR.
With a performance that was guaranteed to get your feet going the Swing Band played an hours worth of songs which included numbers from Sinatra, Parker and Duke Ellington!
Joined by the Swing Band was this years two vocalists Sam B (L6f) and Alex B (U6d).
Trio,
and Ian
During the Abbey Festival Lunchtime concert audience members were also able to hear from other groups and ensembles including the Violin Trio which Consisted of Marc F ARSM (L6a), Austin L (5c) and Freddie F (L6a). During there performance they wowed the audience with a trio performance of Hopak (from The Fair at Sorotchinsk) - M Mussorgsky (1839-1881). Together the trio were able to create contrasting sounds which wowed the audience with Diploma level skills.
Next, we heard from the Clarinet Trio consisting of members such as Sam R (L6e), Will L (L6d) and Benji R (5c). They played a beautiful serenade of the Flower Duet which resonated throughout the abbeys echo leaving a heart-warming performance on all of the audience
Once the Clarinet Trio had performed we enjoyed a performance from the Symphonic Strings which consisted of 13 members with seven Violinists, one Violist, four Cellists and 1 Double Bassist, they performed John Tavener’s Mother of God, here I stand, which left a beautiful effect on the audience
Next we heard from the Jazz Trio which consists of Alex O-S (U6d) on the drums, Jack A (U6e) ARSM on the alto sax. and Mr Marks on the Piano. They played an upbeat performance of Cheryl Clark’s Reality Check which got audience members feet tapping for a lively performance.
One of the only soloists throughout the concert was Ian L (5d) ATCL, LTCL on the piano. Ian played a beautiful sound on the piano which left a shock on the audience from it beautiful and breath-taking performance of Debussy’ Reflets dans l’eau. As many know in the Music School, Ian continues to impress audience members with his piano skills and will always keep an undoubtingly amazing impression on the audience and staff
The Blue Notes
Violin
Clarinet Trio, Symphonic Strings, Jazz Trio
L. (5d) ATCL LTCL
Sherborne Abbey Festival:
Chamber Choir and Close Harmony
Chamber Choir & Barbershop
Directed by Mr Eadon
To end Sherborne Boys’ part in the Abbey Festival we finished the show off with our Chamber Choir and Close Harmony Groups.
Including performances from the Chamber Choir and Barbershop Group, we heard numbers from Poulenc, Thompson and Bruckner
The Chamber Choir is group of 34 members who sing close harmony songs and often go away on trips such as Cathedral outings to sing with the Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society
The Barbershop is a group of 10 members which have been specifically selected to sing in a smaller group a create breath taking harmonies
Both groups, which are directed by Mr Eadon performed a number of 10 songs to the audience at the Abbey Festival which created varieties of harmonies and tones which echoed across the abbey.
Between both groups the Chamber Choir and Barbershop performed the following 10 pieces below:
1 Seigneur, je vouse en prie - Francis Poulenc
Alleluia - Randall Thompson 3 Ave Maria - Franz Biebl
Ave Maria - Anton Bruckner
Bogorodistye Dyevo - Arvo Part
Oculi Omnium - Charles Wood 7 My Evaline - A E Hall 8 Goodnight, Sweetheart - Calvin Carter and James Hudson 9 Moon River - Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer
10 New York, New York, - John Kander and Fred Ebb
Both groups left an outstanding impression on all of the audience and it was an extremely great way to end the part in which the Sherborne Boys got to play in the Sherborne Abbey Festival
The Blue Notes
Lunch Time Recitals Woodwind and Brass
Woodwind and Brass 9 May 2025
The first series of Lunchtime Recitals held in Cheap Street Church was a remarkable success, showcasing the exceptional talent of Sherborne’s Woodwind and Brass Players. Members of the audience were extremely impressed by the range and quality of performances delivered by students
Strings and Percussion 16 May 2025
The next Lunchtime Recital series was made up string and percussion players from across the music school
The recital featured a selection of pieces, from expressive trumpet studies and concertos to thrilling clarinet solos that captivated listeners Among the highlights was a well performed third form wind trio, including Manu M (3g) on the Oboe, Harry S (3d) on the Flute and Luke J (3m) on the clarinet. The audience was also treated to a performance by Archie G (L6f) on the Flugel Horn, who played a beautiful serenade of ‘My Funny Valentine’ which was accompanied by Mr Marks
Each performer was able to show off their different talents throughout the concert and was able to show the great talent in which Woodwind and Brass players have within the music department.
It was a great chance for the musicians to perform in front of an audience and to share what they’ve been working on. We’re all looking forward to the next Lunchtime Recitals and can’t wait to hear even more amazing music from Sherborne’s talented students
With performances from Violins, Cellos, Marimbas and Drums. The audience were able to see a range of different players all on contrasting instruments which filled Cheap Street Church with beautiful sounds.
The concert started of with breath-taking techniques and skills on the drums from James W (L6b) to the end of the concert with Marc F ARSM (L6a) on the Violin playing a beautiful rendition of Sarasate's’ Lento assai and Allegro Moderato which left the audience amazed with such a way to end the concert
Throughout the concert, audience members also saw performances from Alfonso V-G on the marimba as well as Matthew W on the snare drum.
This lunchtime recital concert was a great way in which performers were able to perform pieces on contrasting instruments which demonstrated through various performances throughout the concert.
The Blue Notes Pg.12
Recitals and Unplugged
Joint Schools Unplugged
Article written by Mr Lehnert
In March of the Lent Term, our annual Unplugged concert at Sherborne Boys’ once again offered students a platform to perform in a stripped-back, acoustic setting. Designed for both Upper and Lower Sixth pupils, the event allows performers to showcase contemporary music without much amplification, celebrating musicianship in its purest form.
This year ’ s concert, hosted by Upper Sixth student Will T, proved to be one of the most memorable to date The evening opened with a lively rendition of Southern Nights by Glen Campbell, performed by a mixed ensemble from both the Girls’ and Boys’ schools Their chemistry on stage set a high standard for the rest of the night
Among the standout performers was Alex O-S, Head of RocSoc, and Liberty P, who performed brilliantly, showcasing their singer songwriter capabilities Also new to the Unplugged stage was a group comprising Lower Sixth and Fourth Form boys, whose confident performance of "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones took the audience by surprise
Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, earning widespread praise and easily becoming a highlight of the night Upper Sixth student Alex B followed with a performance that firmly marked the event as his own showcase of talent. Another impressive act featured a Lower Sixth band fronted by Charlie D and James W, whose vocal harmonies and musicianship demonstrated musical maturity well beyond their years
Bringing the evening to a close was Tom Foster, who performed two Bob Dylan songs with his sister from the girls’ school completely unamplified and without microphones It was a quietly powerful and unique performance, unlike any seen in recent years.
Tindall Recital Series: Mr Nordin and Ms Kurutac
An evening where members of the public and School were able to join Mr Nordin (Trombone) and Ms Kurutac (Piano) as they took us through a night of Traditional English and American Folksongs.
To start the evening off, members of the audience were performed a set list of English traditional song including sonatas and studies from composers such as Derek Bourgeois to Ralph V. Williams.
During the second half of the evening, audience members were treated to songs from ranging composers of Bernstein to Aaron Copland all of which included Traditional American folksongs.
With lovely accompaniments from Ms Kutuac, the audience were also able to listen to contrasting notes of unaccompanied folk songs as well.
The set list is as follows:
Sonata for Trombone and Piano - Derek Bourgeois
I. Allegro con brio
Six Studies in English Folk Song - Ralph V. Williams
I Adagio
II Andante sostenuto
III. Larghetto
VI. Allegro Vivace
Fantasy for Trombone - Malcom Arnold
Rhapsody for Trombone - Gordon Langford
Interval
Thoughts of Love - Arthur Pryor
Old American Songs - Aaron Copland
Simple Gifts
At the River
Elegy for Mippy II - Leonard Bernstein
Sonata for Trombone and Piano - Eric Ewazen
I Allegro Maestoso
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso
The Blue Notes
Pg.13
Joint Schools’ Prep Schools’ Choral Day
Directed by Mr Eadon and Mr Cracknell. Joined by the Sherborne Boys’ Chamber Choir and Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society
A day of singing, hosted by Sherborne Boys, was a fantastic opportunity for prep school students to come together and enjoy a full day of singing workshops. Throughout the day, pupils took part in rehearsals and musical activities that helped them develop their vocal skills, and learn some new pieces of music The day built up to a well-rehearsed and beautifully sung evensong performance in the stunning setting of Sherborne Abbey
After some enjoyed workshops, prep schools headed down to the Abbey where they would start rehearsals for their evening performance Once rehearsals had taken place and after a well-deserved lunch, Prep School students went back down to the Abbey where they would begin their evensong.
In the final performance, students were joined by the Sherborne Boys’ Chamber Choir and the Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society, which made the event even more special
Together, they filled the Abbey with beautiful music and rich harmonies. Parents were invited to attend the evensong and enjoyed a variety of choral pieces, including How Can I Keep from Singing by Robert Lowry, O Praise God in His Holiness by Stanford, Evening Canticles in A by Parry, Give Us the Wings of Faith, Radcliffe’s Preces and Responses, and many traditional hymns.
The Blue Notes
Weekly Abbey Services
Wednesday and Sunday
With Abbey Services continuing to take place every Wednesday and Sunday this half-term the school had one of their abbey services to celebrate VE Day’s 80 Anniversary which took place in the courts. th
With houses in groups the choir stood outside the steps of the BSR as they sung their anthem: ‘For the Fallen’
To accompany hymns and the national anthem, the congregation was supported by a Brass Quartet which was brought together the members were:
1 Archie G (L6f) - Trumpet 1
2 Sirtaaj G (3a) - Trumpet 2
3 Louis R (5e) - French Horn
4 Archie S-B (L6f) - Trombone
Throughout the service we heard prayers being read out from the Reverend and from the Headmaster With this service being quite short it was a way in which Sherborne was able to remember those who served during the Second World War.
Weekly Abbey Services
With Weekly Abbey services which continued to take place every Wednesday and Sunday, at the end of last term the congregation said to Farwell to Mr Bray, the School Organist, who has been with the choir for over 25 years
As the new School Organist, Mr Costin has accompanied the choir beautifully with pieces ranging from Poulenc's Seigneur, je vous en prie, Parry’s I was glad to Stanford’s Magnificat in C
The Blue Notes Pg.15
Jazz Concert
Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton
Mr Marks - Director
A night filled of fun jazz and directed by Mr Marks, the Jazz Ensemble played pieces from Blue Monk, In Walked Bud, Caravan, Take Five and more...
With the performance taking place at Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton; the Jazz Ensemble were helping to raise fund towards a new church roof which had previously been torn.
As well as performances from the Jazz Ensemble, we also saw solo performances
Archie S-B played a solo of Lil’ Darlin by Neal Hefti on the Trombone, Sirtaaj G played a solo of Autumn Leaves on the Trumpet which was swiftly followed by Sam B and Alex B who performed four numbers between them which were At Last, Blue Moon Fly me to the moon and come fly with me.
After an interval where musicians enjoyed some food to eat, Archie G played My Funny Valentine on the Flugel Horn all of which was accompanied by Mr Marks.
To start and finish the evening the Jazz Ensemble played a number of 7 song altogether, which can be shown in the list below: 1 Blue Monk 2 Pent-Up House 3 St Thomas 4.In Walked Bud 5 Caravan 6 Footprints 7 Take Five
As a whole the evening was a way in which Sherborne Music was able to donate money and were glad to do so through some Jazz The Jazz Ensemble will next perform at Early Evening Jazz.
In total the Jazz Band along with other soloist performers were able to raise £1,200.00 for the repairs of the church roof altogether.
The Blue Notes Pg.16
Harmonies, Stories and Tunes
The Blue Notes
HowMixtapesChangedMyLife
by James Crawford
Article written by Mr Crawford
Radiohead made me my first mixtape. Well, that’s not quite true, Andy Yorke, brother of Thom, made me my first mixtape, but I know his music taste was very much influenced by his brother and so it feels like there’s a pedigree to it that I can boast about. I don’t remember the opening song, but I do remember it segued pretty quickly into Begin the Begin, by REM, then When Love Breaks Down by Prefab Sprout and Wild, Wild Life by Talking Heads.
We didn’t have a lot of music in my house when I was growing up My mum ’ s favourite album during my teenage years was Bert Kaempfert’s Swinging Safari, which I can now appreciate as a camp classic, but wasn’t what I was looking for as I entered the difficult years My dad seemed to only have one album: The Best of Cat Stevens Cat Stevens (or Yousuf Islam as he’s now sometimes known) played Glastonbury a couple of years ago and is a certified genius but was very much Music for Boring Grown Ups back in the early 80s.
It's hard to overstate how much Andy Yorke’s mixtape affected my teenage years, my music taste and my life in general. Through it I developed a life long love of many of the bands on the tape, but it also encouraged me to make my own tapes. Back in those days making a mixtape was actually illegal. Taping music was reproducing, without permission, someone ’ s intellectual property, and the music industry ran a campaign against it called Home Taping Is Killing Music. There were stories of teenagers being fined enormous amounts for this minor insurrection. Perhaps that added a frisson of excitement to my little hobby.
However if the music industry were at war with mixtapes, it was a every young person ’ s life and they were all over the zeitgeist, in fact some of the most important cultural innovations – including Hip Hop – owe much to the do-it-yourself, mixtape aesthetic Nick Hornby wrote a book, High Fidelity, with instructions for how to create the ultimate mixtape He wrote To me, making a tape is like writing a letter – there’s a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again […] A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. You’ve got to kick it off with a corker, to hold the attention […], and then you ’ ve got to up it a notch, or cool it a notch, […] and . . . oh, there are loads of rules. I had rules when I made mixtapes. I generally kicked off with a song that would set the tone, but saved the corker for the second track. I’d generally have my favourite track (perhaps Range Life by Pavement) halfway through the first half, to reward the attentive listener and I’d normally finish with a poignant number (Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths was a favourite). And a girl that I had a massive crush on and for whom I made several mixtapes was convinced that I always put one unlistenable song on every tape (Ace of Spades by Motorhead was a nadir according to her).
The Blue Notes
Pg.18
HowMixtapesChangedMyLife
by James Crawford
Article written by Mr Crawford
It felt like the end of the mixtape when the CD superseded it as the epitome of music technology but it has remained surprisingly resilient. Despite the dip when people stopped using tapes (although some of us burned CDs and even Minidiscs) the art of the mix remained alive and the advent of Spotify has given it a new life. Now instead of mixtapes I make playlists for people close to me, which have helped mark important relationships in my life from friends, to romantic partners and even with my children. One of the proudest moments of my mixtape life was when I swapped playlists with my daughter and we realised that we’d both included the same track on each of our lists
Cassette tapes are now more or less obsolete (although their aesthetic still lives on in some phone cases), but the spirit of the mix lives on
It’s a great way to find out about new music from people you trust, to test how good your taste in music is, and for many people who wouldn’t describe themselves as artistic, it’s a low stakes creative outlet. As Rob in High Fidelity says of the mixtape: ‘ you are using someone else’s poetry to express how you feel.’ And when Andy Yorke gave me that tape, it opened up a conduit to a infinite range of feelings that I am still exploring.
The Blue Notes
Half-Term Harmony:
The Resurrection Symphony
Article written by Reuben Fisher
The year is 1889. Gustav Mahler, a leading Austro-Bohemian conductor of humble Jewish origins has just had his world première of his First Symphony. It would be fair to say that it was not particularly well received by the audience of the Vigadó Concert Hall, Budapest.
To make the situation worse, Mahler’s brother, Bernhard, died shortly before his première, and later that year was followed by the deaths of both his sister and his mother less than a month apart, and Mahler took charge over his four younger siblings It was during these troubling times, Mahler began work on what would become his Second Symphony, beginning with Totenfeier (Funeral rites)
Originally intended as a single-movement Symphonic Poem, this would become the Symphony’s first movement With the overall form of a modified sonata, we begin in the key of C-Minor but move through many numbers of different moods under the direction Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck (With complete gravity and solemnity of expression). The overall feeling of the movement is, as the original name would suggest, very much one of a funeral march, evening including a theme based of that of a plainchant Dies Irae (Day of Wrath).
In the first performances of this symphony, Mahler instructed for a five-minute silence to take place before beginning the second movement. This begins to make some sense as the movement shows itself to be a Ländler, a type of Germanic folk dance, a very different tone to the previous movement. Overall, it is relatively slow and simplistic compared with the other movements, painting a relatively joyful picture in sharp contrast to the first movement, reminding us of the happier times of life, but nonetheless it still has its darker tones of death. The third movement gives us similar colours to the second movement, this time written in the style of a scherzo. With aid of the timpani, the orchestra begins to create swelling motions within the music, even with some references to Jewish folk tunes. The story of the movement is based on that of St Antonius of Padua Preaching to the Fish from the Des Knaben Wunderhorn, a set of German folk poems and tales that would come to be extremely influential in Mahler’s work. It tells of St Antonius miracle of where he went to the sea to deliver a sermon only for a large school of fish to appear to hear it. However, Mahler incorporates an almost comic aspect to this, as not only does he show that after all of this, like men, they go back to their sinful ways and even implies that St Antonius may have been a bit drunk in the whole experience However, at the climax we are struck with a striking triple-forte Bbm/C chord, the ‘ cry of despair’, also known as the ‘Death Shriek”
The Blue Notes Pg.20
Half-Term Harmony:
The Resurrection Symphony
Article written by Reuben Fisher
This then brings us into the fourth movement, Urlicht (Primeval Light). A Wunderhorn song sung by an Alto in the remote key of Db Major, it illustrates the longing of relief from the world, leading without break into the Finale.
The fifth and final movement opens dramatically with the ‘ cry of despair’ ringing out once more, with a long introduction reiterating the Dies Irae theme, but also now introducing the Resurrection theme which simultaneously introduces the chorus The movement expands even further on the two themes and also many other motifs introduced in previous movements
In one of the more tender moments of the symphony, we hear an offstage brass ensemble and low percussion in the style of a march, something I personally have always imagined to be the army of the Kingdom of Heaven, marching over the Earth in its final days. Delicately we hear a flute begin a gentle bird song, that of a Nightingale, and it is the last living thing on Earth.
There is not enough time to go into the theological beliefs of the Abrahamic religions on the end of the world, nor to print the whole text of the fifth movement here, but I highly recommend you look for yourself, but the choir does give us some explanation here in its climax:
What was created Must perish;
What perished, rise again!
Cease from trembling! Prepare yourself to live!
I shall die in order to live
Rise again, yes, rise again, Will you, my heart, in an instant!
What you have conquered, To God shall it carry you!
It is my personal belief that all good art is a stable balance of the Apolline and the Dionysiac, the animalistic and the divine (see Nietzsche’s Birth of Tragedy), as any Wagnerian should, and Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is certainly an excellent example of when this is perfected Most of all, I see this symphony as one of perseverance, quite literally: controversial in his own time, his works repressed under the Nazi regime for his Jewish routes, only for it to be brought back into the limelight again in the mid-Twentieth Century by the likes of Leonard Bernstein.
Again, it is impossible to portray just how important, brilliant, and captivating this symphony is in such a short space, so all I can do now is implore you to give it a listen, then another one, and then by the third time you’ll be putting on
The Blue Notes Pg.21
Closing Notes...
It gives me great pleasure to write a conclusion to this, the first edition of Blues Notes. It has been an incredibly busy, but rewarding first half of a Trinity Term which has seen boys maintaining the exceptional musical standards and traditions in our fine school. Whether it is the Jazz Ensemble helping raise huge sums of money for a nearby church, the excitement and pizazz of CourtsFest, the three concerts in the Sherborne Abbey Festival, our regular Friday lunchtime concerts, Abbey and Chapel Services, or just the wonderful sounds emanating from practice rooms in the Music School, it has been a great patch of the academic year! Thank you to the boys and staff that make this happen so superbly!
I would also like to thank Sirtaaj – the founder and editor of the tome which you are currently reading – for having the vision and drive to bring it into being! Long may it continue with its content of all types – articles, interviews, reviews and all the rest! It is fantastic to have such a magazine in existence. TS Eliot said “Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living” – that is certainly true of Music!
