GUITAR AND VIOLIN AT TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL
Xuefei Yang - THE WORLD’S GREATEST CLASSICAL GUITARIST
If music be the food of love, then it surely should be heard – and made- by the many not the few. Through their organisation, Music in Action that love extends especially to children. James their exuberant warm hearted envoy stood on the steps of the solemn Chapel of Trinity College to appeal for music for them. He made the case movingly. Children with difficulties struggle at school. But add the magic ingredient of, yes, music, everything improves for them - concentration, confidence, poise and examination performance all enhanced. Provenly. Which is why the sadly soon outgoing Master of Cambridge’s largest College, Dr Sally Davies, throws open her doors to a sequence of unforgettable concerts . Cut price tickets to concerts, year long programmes of music lessons are all part of the Music In Action remit. Above all the excellence of live performed music.
And it doesn’t come much livelier than last night’s concert.
Viva L’España! .Five bars of Xuefei Yang’s amazing guitar took us to Andalusia and beyond, deep in the traditon of Spanish music this brilliant and beautiful young Japanese player has made her own. Her playing transformed the grey sombre walls of Trinity College Chapel. Suddenly on a drizzling dark November night, the sun shone and the colour blazed and we were in the warmth and exuberance of Iberian culture . How does she do it? Skill dedication and a gift from God created a genius. Her hands barely touch the strings but her one gorgeous guitar appeared to produce the sounds of several. It was spectacular. After one piece, a familiar, tune I think I once attempted on the guitar (moving on!) we almost soared into the ‘zone of happiness” Xuefei Yang finds in her own playing.
When Harriet Mackenzie swept on to the stage violin in hand, the mood altered. The blend of the instruments was sublime. The twosome covered the ground with a Bach recital of a four part Concerto and then switched to England’s own John Dowland where Xuefei Yang’s lute-like part matched the voice of the violin. Harriet’s own voice skilfully recited the swift Spanish lyrics for a sixsome of traditional tunes, and her dramatic version of John Dowland’s more mournful sixteenth century laments was quite wonderful
How do they do it? So often it’s a mystery, the alchemy of sounds which enchant the listener. With these two lovely women in harmony, the cultures of East and West, ancient and modern mingled in a captivating ensemble. A dark November night transformed - and honoured the children its message will help in the future. It seldom comes as perfect as that.
Harriet Mackenzie VIOLINIST EXTRAORDINAIRE
