Music enthusiasts of St Mary’s Calne gathered in the Chapel on Wednesday 6th December to attend an end of term piano celebration, featuring talented pianists taught by Ms Palfreyman, ranging from LIV to UVI.

The recital started off with a lively duet of We Wish You A Merry Christmas, performed by Giselle (LIV) and Ms Palfreyman, full of spirit and seasonal cheer. 

Next up was Violet’s (UIV) We Three Kings, which was not only a delight to listen to, but also an incredibly impressive feat, considering Violet only started piano in September. 

Then Emilia (UIV) played Beethoven’s Fur Elise, an enduring classic which was performed with assured elegance and steadfast charm. 

This was then followed by another exuberant duet arrangement of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, featuring Ms Palfreyman and Miss Arthur. 

After that we had Hannah’s (UIV) performance of Norton’s New Kid, in which the whimsical character of the swing-style jazz piece was expressed by Hannah with excellent finesse. 

Next, Anna (UV) played Friedlin’s At the Evening Window with easy precision and a lulling gentleness that painted a picturesque scene of a glassy lake on a serene December morning. 

In the same way, Zaza’s (LV) performance of Coleridge-Taylor’s Impromptu in B minor was charmingly enigmatic, a mood which was enhanced by Zaza’s beautiful handling of its sorrowful triplet figures.

Then came Myra’s (LV) elegant rendition of Debussy’s Sarabande from Pour le Piano, wistful and elusive like a wisp of November fog, an atmosphere that was wonderfully captured in Myra’s playing. 

Following that was Katelyn’s (MIV) performance of Dussek’s Rondo from Sonatina in Eb, a sweet and lilting piece superbly done justice by Katelyn’s crisp handling of the delicate yet playful semiquaver runs. 

Jina (LV) then launched into a pensive rendition of the first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, which was played with mature sophistication and thoughtful style, perfectly encapsulating a sombre, moonlit midnight. 

Next, Allison (UV) played Farrenc’s Etude in D-flat, executing the expressive chords and lyrical melodies with magnificent ease, and with that flawlessly capturing the quintessentially Romantic character of the music. 

Then we had Letty (LV), who performed Debussy’s Valse: La Plus Que Lente with excellent refinement, evoking an earnest atmosphere of heartfelt yearning and stormy nostalgia within the Chapel. 

Sophia (UVI), as the penultimate performer, stunned the audience with her grandiose rendition of Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu in C# minor through her sophisticated and stylish execution of the notoriously demanding piece. 

Finally, Eleanor (UV) played Debussy’s Reverie, a tranquil and reflective piece which she performed with assured poise, delightfully capturing the wistful mood set forward in the title A Daydream. 

With that, the lunchtime piano recital concluded on a triumphant note. Overall, not only was it an enjoyable afternoon of both Christmas melodies and classical repertoire, it was also a wonderful celebration of the hard work that has gone behind the musical accomplishments of Calne girls across all ages and skill levels, once again reaffirming the timeless joy of music.  

Norah, LVI