Simon Pocock

The Spring Music Concert in Blackett took place on 13 March 2017 with performances from Physics staff and students.

This was our first Blackett concert for the year and once again music in Physics by physicists prevailed. Our Haines baby grand piano was enjoyed by five of the six musicians. The programme started with Simon Pocock's rendition of 'Train' by Porcupine Tree followed by 'Present Tense' by Radiohead. His soothing, melodious voice did justice to the two songs and he accompanied himself expertly on the guitar.

Meri Tan, one of our Physics with Music undergraduates, was our second performer. Her 'Faure Theme and Variations' Op 73 for the piano was a tour de force of memory and wonderful interpretation. This was followed by Joel Hayhow, the second of our Physics with Music undergraduates, who treated us to Mozart and Scriabin again expertly and brilliantly executed. Meri and Joel have grown from strength to strength as they progress through their joint degrees.

Meri Tan

The second half of the evening began once again with Simon Pocock performing 'Yet Again' by Grizzly Bear and 'I Appear Missing' by Queens of the Stone Age. Simon gave each song its due with individual sensitivity - well done Simon!

We were back at the Haines again with Professor Ed Hinds dazzling us with two delightful Scarlatti pieces - K32 and K87, it was good to have him back again and to enjoy Scarlatti for the first time.

Professor Richard Thompson and Will Rayner followed with a well synchronised and lively version of Mozart's piano duet C K 521 (first movement). This was followed by an unexpected second choice - a rousing rendition of Lerner and Loewe's 'Get Me To The Church On Time' from My Fair Lady. This was full of Cockney cheekiness and much applauded.

Our final pianist was Xuan Chen, an undergraduate now in his final year, executed four piano pieces, each by a different composer, with ease and verve. He began with Mendelssohn, then Chopin and Paderewski - all three were equally impressive and appreciated. He then embarked on his piece de resistance 'Pirates of The Carribbean' which was played with such astounding bravado we feared for the baby grand. It was even more swashbuckling than before and how we loved it!

Xuan Chen

It was quite an evening - congratulations and thanks to all our musicians with their brilliant talents and willingness to share the joy. Thank you to the Physics Department and friends for their continuing support. We feel quite privileged and proud to be part of these concerts and social events which are inclusive accross the board here in Physics.