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Take 5: Special little moments of musicality to cherish

4BR picks five very special little moments of musicality to cherish from 2016...

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  4BR picks five very special little musical moments to cherish from 2016

There were many brilliant performances from bands as well as individuals during 2016, but these were five moments to cherish for us for very different reasons.

1. Peter Moore


RNCM Brass Band Festival recital

The whole recital performance by the LSO Principal Trombone was stunning, with the first few notes of Mahler's 'Urlicht' from 'Das Knaben Wunderhorn' as close to perfection as you could ever hear.

However, the little bit of extra magic came with his rendition of Arthur Pryor's 'La Petite Suzanne'.

So many modern day trombonists play his solos with an ineptitude based on speed and trickery. Here Moore delivered it with such capricious elan that it took the breath away. It was a sheer delight.


2. Principal cornet player of Redruth Town Band


Fourth Section West of England Championship

Not even Errol Flynn could have bettered this for swashbuckling brilliance. On the Spanish leg of 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' this chap delivered a cornet cadenza that took 'ad-libbing' to a new level of interpretative genius. This was Zorro meets Eddie Calvert with a dollop of Wynton Marsalis thrown in for good measure.

Adjudicator Alan Fernie's tongue in cheek pre-results remarks paid tribute to this unique piece of musicality in what was a playful homage to the great Eric Morecambe when asked by Andre Previn just what he was doing in his rendition of Grieg Piano Concerto.

The man in question (we don't know his name even now) simply stepped forward, took the applause and revelled in his moment of glory. Simply brilliant.


3. David Childs


Cantata Memoria

The 50th anniversary of the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip behind the village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil in 1966, which sent debris through the classroom of Pantglas Junior School, killing 116 children and 28 adults, was marked in Wales by the premiere of 'Cantata Memoria' by Sir Karl Jenkins.

The nation was reminded of the poignant loss as well as the shameful aftermath of official denial which led one grieving father to state at the Coroner's Inquest that his child had been, "buried alive by the National Coal Board."

The 'Cortege' section saw Bryn Terfel sing 'Myfanwy' and David accompanied as the 'musical voice of the valley', leading the choir as they recited the names of all those killed to a backdrop of the scenes of the heartbreaking funeral processions.


4. Helen Williams


'Journey of the Lone Wolf' — National Championship of Great Britain

There are very few players whose individual contribution even to a National title winning performance immediately becomes the collective memory of victory for those who did and didn't hear it on the day.

That was certainly the case with the chillingly beautiful flugel spotlight, performed with such control and purity by Helen Williams that time very nearly stood still in the Albert Hall.

As adjudicator Philip McCann later told 4BR: "The icing on the cake from the winners came as soon as the beginning of the second movement — and especially from the flugel. There was so much space, atmosphere, textures and colours. It was the magic moment of the day."


5. Valaisia


'Goldberg 2012' — Swiss National Championship

At the heart of Svein Henrik Giske's remarkable work is a central core of deep, ice cold melancholy that reflects on the death of his father. It is transparent writing drawn from the heart — a paean of yearning loss that is almost troubling in its beauty.

For that moment in time in Montreux, Valaisia under the elegant direction of Arsene Duc chilled the marrow in your bones; sending your own memories spiralling into a recalled personal freefall. It was deeply affecting.

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mANGER

King leads conducting trio at Manger

August 5 • Prof David King, Magnus Brandseth and Tormod Flaten will mastermind the musical challenges of the Norwegian National Champion.


Angus

Talent showcase at NYBBGB Course

August 5 • Eight talented performers battled it out to be crowned Harry Mortimer Solo Award winner.


Tredegar

Tredegar join the Rath pack

August 5 • The trombone section of the Welsh Champion are now ambassadors for Rath Trombones.


Andrew Porter

Porter service at Wingates

August 5 • Cpt Andrew Porter becomes the new Musical Consultant at Wingates Band.


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 8 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham GL51 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 15 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL52 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Elland Silver Band

August 5 • Are seeking a SOLO CORNET player and a 3rd CORNET player to complete our line up for our exciting autumn / winter season of concerts & contests. Rehearsals are Monday & Thursday evenings 8 -10pm at our bandroom in Elland HX5 9AZ.


wantage silver band

August 5 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have a vacancy for a BASS PLAYER, Eb or Bb. The band are ideally looking for an experienced player but are committed to giving younger players opportunities. There are always openings to teach and conduct at WSB too.


Petworth Town Band

August 4 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for BASS TROMBONE, CORNET and TUBA. We are an active band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome new players to join us and our happy band of players.


Darren R. Hawken

PGdip, BMus(hons) PGCE, dipABRSM, LRSM
Conductor, Arranger, Teacher, Adjudicator, Band Trainer


               

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