Harry Enjoys Violin Masterclass with Tasmin Little

Harry L’Estrange, a Form 3 pupil at St John’s College School in Cambridge, has just enjoyed an amazing opportunity to take part in a violin masterclass at Uppingham School with Tasmin Little OBE.

Tasmin, the world-renowned violinist and one of the pre-eminent performers of her generation, gave the masterclass to pupils of Grade 8 level and above. Harry, whose full name is Harry Watson Forbes L’Estrange, was named after his great grandfather, the famous viola player Watson Forbes.

Director of Music, Simon Kirk, explained, “Harry worked on the first two movements of Handel’s lovely D Major Sonata with Tasmin, and, at the end of his session, was asked by her which is his favourite piece to play. Harry’s answer was the Bach Double Violin Concerto, and so naturally they gave an impromptu performance of the first movement together! This was in itself an extraordinary opportunity and one which will provide life-long memories.”

Harry added: “I actually jumped out of my skin when she asked if she could play it with me. It was also quite funny when she asked me which violin part I played in the piece. It was the same part as she did so she said “that’s fine – I’ll sightread the Violin 2 part” and it sounded amazing, no mistakes at all! I was so lucky to play with such an incredible, fantastic and all round really nice character!”

What a great achievement Harry! Perhaps you’ll be following in Tasmin’s footsteps and get to perform on every continent in some of the most prestigious venues in the world such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Philmarmonie Berlin, Vienna Konserthaus, London’s South Bank Centre, Barbican Centre and the Royal Albert Hall, and Lincoln Center and Suntory Hall