2004 European Brass Band Championships - Gala Concert
12-May-2004Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 1st May 2004
With the “full house” signs almost in view this concert consisted of some striking playing with not a chorus of 'Scotland the Brave' or the more traditional music associated with a Gala Concert of this style to be had for love nor money. And wasn't it refreshing to hear some new musical styles and Scottish associations yet retaining a truly Scottish flavour.
The National Youth Band of Scotland opened the concert and in typical extrovert style conductor Richard Evans drew a rousing reception by wearing full Scottish Dress, kilt, sporran.....the works.
Alba a short prelude commissioned from Alan Fernie especially for the occasion certainly achieved its objective as it showcased the talents of the band, before they presented another new arrangement from the pen of Goff Richards.
Hymn of Praise was a medley of popular hymn tunes as voted for by viewers of the BBC Songs of Praise programme and once more the encouraging and warm style of Richard Evans brought out some sparkling playing from the Youth Band.
As part of her prize for winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist contest Katrina Marzella returned in a flying visit from her studies in Australia to perform three works with exceptional skill and wonderful tone.
Sun, a work she showcased in the BBC final, perennial favourite The Swan (Carnival of the Animals) and the Rondo from Concerto for Baritone. This new work written especially for her by Andrew Duncan is to be presented in full later in the year.
The banter between Richard Evans and Frank Renton lightened the mood all through this section as the Youth Band completed their programme with Hora Staccato and the Celtic sounding The Gael (from the film 'Last of the Mohicans')
As the stage was reset Richard Evans and Katrina Marzella talking to Frank Renton both gave an insight into their banding experiences and before too long Yorkshire Building Society Band presented an unusual diversion on a Celtic Theme.
A music set entitled Celtic Fusion featured not only the band aided with some stunning bodhrán playing but also soloist Neil Yates challenging the traditional sounds of the trumpet with individual 'breathy' Irish sounds in an arrangement of Celtic melodies.
To conclude Peter Roberts stunned the audience with his interpretation of Flowerdale from Hymn of the Highlands before the band left the stage having demonstrated once more why they are in another class performing Dundonnell from Hymn of the Highlands.
Few of us expected the diversion that the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykeshead Pipe Band and the Kirkintilloch Band were to end the concert with. Gone was the anticipated quick and slow march formula and obligatory Scotland the Brave - instead they delighted everyone with new repertoire incorporating original French music and Latin rhythms.
Set out with the cornets stood encircling the lower band and percussion and the pipe band ringing the stage the music that unfolded including some sparkling solo work on trumpet in a 'jazz' interlude, just left everyone quite taken with a sound of Scotland few of us had heard before and all the more enjoyable for it.
Both Pipe Band and Kirkintilloch were applauded to the last man as they left the stage in single file and thoroughly deserved those cheers as well.
Producer, presenter and inspiration for this section of the concert, Frank Renton certainly capped his most masterful contribution to this year's European Championships with his skills, on this occasion bringing to a close a most rewarding Gala Concert for 2004.
John James
