Adam hits high notes at Proms

Gifted musician plays at prestigious event

- STEWART MCCONNELL

A gifted former Greenwood Academy pupil hit some of the highest notes of his career when he played at the coveted Last Night of the Proms.

Clarinettist Adam Lee (25) enjoyed the experience of the highly prestigious event and also played on other dates throughout the season.

The Irvine man is a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Reflecting on the gala night at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this month, he said: "We played a huge variety, and it was actually a programme really suited to the clarinet.

"Shostakovich's "Festive Overture" and Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice" were real highlights, but I particularly enjoyed playing the “Riffs” from Bernstein's "Prelude, Fugues and Riffs" - it’s originally a piece with a prominent solo clarinet part but the version we played was adapted to have trumpet as the lead instrument (played by Alison Balsom).

"However, a fair bit of the original clarinet solo part remained so it was great to have a chance to play it - it’s a very jazzy and rhythmically driven piece and that's the sort of stuff I love playing.