Benjamin Richeton recently travelled to Japan to accept an invitation to conduct the Tokyo based 'A Brass Emotion' Band.

Established in 2016 this was the band's third annual concert — one that showcased the outstanding progress they have made.

Concerto premiere

The centre-piece was the Japanese brass band premiere of Johan de Meij's imposing 'T-Bone' Concerto performed by guest soloist Yu Tamaki, the renowned trombonist who has performed with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.

The band also performed the march 'Arnhem', Kenneth Hesketh's 'Masque', 'Hymn to the Fallen', 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Call of the Cossacks'. The packed audience was also thrilled when Yu Tamaki joined the trombonist of the band for an encore of 'I Will Follow Him'.

Communal feeling

Speaking about the visit, Benjamin told 4BR: "The band has progress so much in the last three years and there is a great communal feeling about the whole organisation.

I would say they would comfortably compete towards the top end of the First Section in the UK — and they are getting better and better. They are eager to learn and very receptive, they made it so easy."

He added: "In fact the hardest part for me was introducing the pieces to the audience in Japanese! Yu Tamaki did a stunning job on a fiendishly difficult concerto and was an incredible source of inspiration to the rest of the band.

I had a fantastic time with wonderful people and I hope this won't be the last time I visit them."

First encounter

Talking about the concerto performance, Yu Tamaki added: "In January 2018 I moved away from orchestras to focus on my solo career, so I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to perform such a great concerto with the band.

Performing with 'A Brass Emotion' was my first encounter with the world of brass bands, and what an eye-opening experience it was! I am hoping for continuous involvement in this wonderful new world!"

I had a fantastic time with wonderful people and I hope this won't be the last time I visit themBenjamin Richeton

Success

Reflecting on the visit of Benjamin and on the success of the event, Band Manager Ayaka Abe added: "Our third annual concert was a great success.

Yu Tamaki is a lovely person who has won the Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. I was pleased he chose T-Bone Concerto, and he gave a superb performance.

Benjamin was a wonderful conductor and brought out the very best out of the band. We look forward to a long partnership with Benjamin for future concerts and projects."