When using the word 'showcase' in a title in connection with a school, there is certain expectation that most if not all the school will be present and showing off. It was a surprise for me to see only 3 soloists on the programme.
This shines a different light on the word and now means that these three pupils have been chosen to represent Chetham's School in a 'showcase' and therefore must surely be the cream of the cream... The pressure is on, the die has been cast!
In this hour-long event, each of the three soloists were given approximately 20 minutes each; and first to brave the stage was Hungarian-born violinist Tudor Trita. He, like the two to follow him were all final year students at the school, and will, from September be going their separate ways to continue their studies. For Trita, he will be going to London and the RCM.
I have been hearing quite a lot of French music quite recently, and this concert was no exception. With three out of the four violin pieces on offer being by French composers! Trita played 2 of these. First was Jean Francaix's typically bright and airy 'Sonatine'. Repetitive melodies flirting with tonality, and never really taking the music too seriously is this composer's hallmark, and here was absolutely no exception. Trita then concluded with a beautiful dance - a hark back to a more formal and classical style, and rather unusual for Saint-Saens I thought; but what a lovely piece, and one I had never heard before. His Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso.
Without doubt Trita proved to be an excellent and competent violinist. He was rather stiff though, and failed to emote or put any feeling behind what he was playing, and so his attitude and stance seemed at odds with the music he was playing.
Next to take the stage was soprano Sarah May Dover. I had the pleasure of watching her perform at The Bridgewater Hall in Chetham's production of 'Get Weaving' earlier this year, and was impressed then. Today she completely blew me away! I am certainly no fan of sopranos in general. I much prefer the male voice. I find it more soothing and sonorous. Sopranos do have a tendency to screech or scream, especially on the higher notes. To put this in some kind of perspective then I don't even like Joan Sutherland (my dad's favourite singer) for this very reason. However, I am more than happy to report that with Dover this is simply not the case. She hits the high notes with skill and ease and remains sonorous and sublime.
Singing 5 songs, and introducing each briefly, she also entertained by partially acting the final two which required more than simply looking and sounding good. It was a very diverse choice of music too. Starting with Handel, next to Schubert and then finishing with Weill and Walton; proving her versatility and showcasing here voice excellently.
Finally, back to the violin. This time it was the turn of 18 year old Elizaveta Saul from Belarus. And where Trita failed then Saul more than made up for it with her passionate and emotion-filled playing. Not only did she impress with her ability, but her putting so much of herself behind each note paid dividends and brought that extra spark to music which had a story to tell, and Saul told that story superbly.
Her first choice of piece was the third French piece. This time Poulenc and his Sonata for Violin and Piano. What a fantastic piece of music and a real tour-de-force for anyone! Never having heard this music before though I would certainly like to hear it orchestrated. It seemed to want and need that; just the two instruments seemed insufficient for the depths and journey this music takes us on. Any takers?
The whole concert then finished with another fantastic dance. This one by Piazzolo, and his 'Cafe 1930' tango.
Wow! Maybe I need to readjust my thinking about what a 'showcase' actually is. These three soloists were magnificent, and if we don't see their names in lights in the not-so-distant future, I will be surprised and disappointed.
Reviewer: Mark Dee
Reviewed: 25th May 2016
