The Wykehamist
Meanwhile, James Pett( G, 24-) opened his Sonata for Trombone & Piano with a brassy fanfare set against a blitz of left-hand tremeli, which then gave way to a soaring Romantic theme. Displaying the bold heroism of a Golden Age Hollywood film score, swoops and leaps brought about the return of the A section, culminating in even more brassy chords to stomp out a triumphant finale that left Nye Bayley( Coll:, 22-) beaming in the audience— James would ultimately take home the prize of Junior winner.
Nonetheless, the overall grand prize would go to Barack Jin( Coll:, 22-) for his Valse Fantastique, a piece daring to ask the age-old question,‘ what if the events of Berlioz’ masterpiece had happened three times over, were infused with the apocalyptic madness of Ravel’ s La Valse and were scored for a piano trio all in under six minutes?’ Together with fellow madmen Orlando Beesley( C, 21-) and Jacob Low( B, 21-), the trio put on by far the most impressive live performance of the evening, presenting a narrative best summarised
by‘ party’ and‘ drugs’ with immense virtuosity, clarity and imagination. Subtleties such as Barack’ s very own recurring( and might I say, rather menacing) idée fixe were brought to the forefront, effectively developing tension as well as exhilaration. All six movements flowed seamlessly with their highs and lows, paced finely and providing each instrument with their own exposed soloistic moments— nail-biting stopped-time duets between the violin and the cello sent dyads and goosebumps reverberating through the hall.
Indeed, it is rare that such a daring invention sticks its landing so firmly with not only the audience but also the performers on a first outing, yet this is certainly one of those instances. For it encapsulates, I dare say, precisely what contemporary classical music needs to stay relevant— a passion project elevated to new heights by a genuine outpouring of creativity, a lack of pretentiousness and a wholehearted craving for expanding the existing realm of musical possibilities.
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