Watford Observer

Luis Pecas at Aldenham School**

4:25pm Thursday 11th March 2010

Among singers, the good natural counter-tenor voice in men is comparatively rare, being also known as the male alto, with pitch slightly lower than in a woman contralto. (It must not be confused with the castrato voice, which used to result from a barbarous surgical procedure.) The English debut tour by the Portuguese counter-tenor Luis Pecas, with his accompanist Joao Santos, was therefore a real attraction to the Chapel of Aldenham School last Saturday.

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Marcus Andrews piano recital for Radlett Music Club****

4:12pm Thursday 11th March 2010

It is not every pianoforte recital that includes the first performance of a new work in the presence of its British composer. This was achieved by the Radlett Music Club on this occasion. Modus operandi, a short piece by Michael Summers, only completed in January 2010, therefore deserved our special attention. The piece begins by expanding a single note into a simple theme, to which, after much elaboration and interplay with other themes, it eventually returns. As we listened to its subtle and complex rhythms and its impressionist language, we could not fail to think of Debussy (a specimen of whose work was to be played next) and Bartok, whose idiom has become the lingua franca of modern pianism. It was a privilege to be at the premiere of this exciting, if brief, work, played with enthusiasm by Marcus Andrews.

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These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things at Watford Palace Theatre*****

3:37pm Monday 8th March 2010

Most of us have an awareness of classical ballet, so Indian classical dance, though different, is not incomprehensible. In a multicultural town such as Watford, we are fortunate to see authentic Indian dancing, as we did in the impressive performance by Nina Rajarani and her colleagues at Watford Palace Theatre, last Tuesday night.

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Purcell School's Elastic Band Sextet, Radlett Music Club

2:16pm Friday 29th January 2010

Radlett Music Club presented a Family Concert featuring the Purcell School's Elastic Band Sextet on Sunday, January 24 at Christ Church Vision Hall, Radlett. The Sextet comprised Purcell students led by the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, Kevin Hathway. The audience of children and accompanying adults thoroughly enjoyed a whirlwind musical journey around the world introducing music and musical instruments to them in a highly entertaining and interactive way - this was no conventional concert, rather a musical experience.

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Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Alban Arena****

9:43am Friday 29th January 2010

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat brings with it all the polished professionalism you’d reasonably expect of a West End show. Its production values are superb and its stars are at the very top of their game.

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Kings Langley Players' Aladdin at the Community Centre****

5:13pm Monday 18th January 2010

A warning for the women of Kings Langley: Lock up your husbands, there's a Pantomime Dame in town.

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