Events Diary: Harry Torbett – Lunchtime Recital Series

Of all the recitals to give you goosebumps, this one was powerful. 15-year-old Harry Torbett performed a beautifully mixed programme of old and new. Mozart, Sibelius and The Heart Asks The Pleasure First from the film The Piano, everybody left with a favourite piece, wowed by the sheer professionalism of Torbett’s recital.

Having left school early for the day, year 10 student Harry started his performance with the divulgence that he has had chromesthesia from an early age. This is a neurological trait where music involuntary triggers an optical reaction, in his case, seeing a colour. This fascinating musical quality is quite rare.

He began by playing La Fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) by Debussy. Taken from Debussy’s first book of Preludes, this delicate and serene piece paints a musical picture of a gentle pastoral scene. The prelude’s simple, flowing melody and warm harmonies conjure the image of a young girl in a tranquil landscape, embodying the impressionist musical ideals of evoking mood and colour. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel, we will be posting this piece, along with a few other pieces from Harry's recital: https://www.youtube.com/@KtbmusicUk 

Haydn followed Debussy and then it was time for Torbetts favourite, Sibelius. He worked through three pieces Reverie, Dialogue and Winterbild (A Winter Scene). 

Then it was time for Mozarts Sonata in C. This piano sonata wasn't actually published during Mozart's lifetime, although it is currently one of his most well-known. A masterclass in composition, the theme modulates through the relative dominant keys before returning to G major and ending with a short coda. 

Harry then brought his programme forward to the 1990's with a piece from The Piano, The Heart Asks The Pleasure, I truly don't think I heard the audience take a breath. It was simply beautiful.

To conclude, it could only be Ginastera before an encore of Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin. 

Thank you for playing for us Harry, it was an excellent afternoon.

Written by Becky Fowler