Friday June 27th 2025
Two Moors Festival Young Musicians’ Concert
Harold Lee (oboe)
Dee Dee Redford (piano)
Teagan Craggs (violin)
Dee Dee Redford is an 11 year old pianist from Axminster, Devon. She hails from a family of pianists. After her recent successes at the London International Chopin Competition and winning first prize at the Birmingham Piano Festival for her interpretation of French music, Dee Dee will play Ravel’s Sonatine (1905) to commemorate his 150th birthday anniversary. Featuring many of his stylistic trademarks, Ravel’s Sonatine harks back to the traditions of the French clavecinstes, Couperin and Rameau. Just a few short motives are transformed throughout all 3 movements which exquisitely combine classical form and modernity.
Harold Lee writes: “This programme takes listeners on a chronological adventure through the musical eras, showcasing the evolution of oboe repertoire. We begin with the elegant ‘Oboe Sonata in G minor’ by C.P.E Bach: one of the composers who bridged the gap between the baroque and classical periods.
Next, we delve into a Romantic gem by Gabriel Pierné: ‘Pièce’. I truly enjoy the lyrical charm and subtleties of colour in this piece. It beautifully demonstrates the oboe’s singing quality in its simple melodies; and the expressive warmth, and emotionally sensitive phrases display the beauty of late 19th-century French music. Finally, a striking modern work: Étude No. 5 from Gilles Silvestrini’s ‘Six Études pour Hautbois’ – subtitled ‘Scène de plage – Ciel d’orage’ (‘Beach Scene – Stormy Sky’). At only one minute in duration, this piece was musically inspired by a painting by the French artist Eugène Boudin. Silvestrini translates the shifting sky and looming storm into a vivid sonic landscape, full of turbulence, colour, and drama, leaving not much room for breath!
Teagan Craggs is in her final year of a full music scholarship at Wells Cathedral School. In September, she is set to commence her studies at the Royal College of Music where she has also been awarded a full scholarship.
This Spring she gave a recital at Evaristo Valle Museum Foundation in Spain and performed at a Future Talent fundraising concert in the Roundhouse, London. She has won multiple prizes at various festivals, and in 2023, she won both the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Junior Artist Award and the Two Moors Competition.
Teagan has led the Nicola Benedetti Foundation Orchestra in concert on several occasions, and has been fortunate enough to be selected for individual masterclass tuition with Nicky. In addition she has led the Wells Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra for five consecutive years. This summer, she will be travelling to Switzerland to perform as a member of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra, and returns to the BBC proms playing with the Chineke Orchestra.
She is involved in many chamber groups, and has appeared on numerous BBC broadcasts. She recently featured on Scala Radio’s “One to Watch”. This November, Teagan is thrilled to be making her debut with St Woolos Sinfonia, performing Mendelsohn’s Violin Concerto in Newport Cathedral.
Teagan plays a bespoke Melvin Goldsmith violin, (the Guarneri ‘Del Gesu’ model), generously loaned by the maker.
Sponsored by Mrs Kit Newsome
