Pianist Keys in to major prizes (From Stroud News and Journal)

Pianist Keys in to major prizes

FOR the third year in succession Leonard Stanley resident Barrie Cooper has taken the top prize in three piano classes at the Cheltenham Music Festival.

Adjudicator Michael Young described his eight minute solo performance of two works by Hindemith as a 'polished and professional' work of rarely heard masterpieces, and awarded him a score of 91 points - the highest mark of the festival.

Barrie also won the romantic class with a performance of the slow movement of Brahms' 1st Sonata and then took the over 35s class playing two pieces by Poulenc.

He was joined in the Duet Class by 17-year-old Jack Mizzi - a pupil of Maria Jacusz, and together they won the class with a performance of Dvorak's Slavonic Dance No 3.

As well as winning these piano competitions, Barrie acted as soloists for no fewer that 27 singers, playing 83 songs over three days, making him the busiest accompanist by far at the festival this year.

One of these resulted in Miranda Davies winning the Gertrude Mace Shield for best singer.

Despite being an accompanist and solo pianist, he still somehow finds time to lead Dursley Male Voice Choir to ever new and more exciting heights.

His impact on the choir repertoire has been profound, resulting in programmes which range from traditional hymns and arias to songs from shows, jazz medleys and arrangements of Beatles and other popular songs.

Last but by no means least he is accompanist for the Minchinhampton based Stuart Singers.

His musical interests will come together when this mixed choir joins Dursley Male Voice Choir for a concert in Cheltenham's Bacon Theatre in September.