Pennine Brass

Conductor: Ian Porthouse
Supported by Halifax Travel Insurance
St Pauls Hall, Huddersfield
Saturday 12th June 2004

Pennine Brass has just passed its fifth birthday, but in that short space of time they have made their mark within the world of banding.  The playing personnel are a mix of youth and experience, which are eager to improve continuously under Ian Porthouse and that has given them a vibrancy and enthusiasm that has seen them rise through the sections and become a very competent and solid Championship Section outfit in a very strong area of the country. . 

The band enjoys tackling different styles of music and this concert, entitled 'Around the World', followed on from two previous themed programmes 'Tribute to the Great Big Band Leaders' and 'A Night at the Movies'.  The band certainly enjoyed themselves and throughout the night demonstrated why they have gained promotion into the Grand Shield along with their fine seventh place at the Yorkshire Area Contest in March.  The quality of the music-making was extremely high and the hard work that had gone into preparing for the event certainly paid off.

The first half commenced in the United Kingdom with Gordon Langford's medley of 'Famous British Marches'.  Right from the opening notes, the warm sound of the band made an impact in the hall.

'JJ' Lees is the bands principal cornet player and he was featured with the operatic aria, 'Nessum Dorma'.  This young man appeared with YBS when he was eleven and in 2002 became the British Open Intermediate Slow Melody Champion.  The tone and control of the instrument was first class and clearly this is a player that is benefiting from having one of the best principal cornet players around as his MD.

From Italy, the music moved to Russia and the circus with Dance of the Tumblers.  This was one of the few occasions on the night where the band didn't sound completely comfortable with the music. When compiling a programme such as this one, it can be as big a challenge to find music for band from various countries as it is to perform it.  Hence, during the night, the audience heard a number of pieces that wouldn't be featured in your typical brass band programme.

The first of these was called 'Mads Doss' from Denmark.  Originally written for Wind Band, it has a folk-tune feel to it with plenty for the percussion section to do.  It certainly had a Scandinavian feel to it, and not too dissimilar in style to the lighter music that we have heard from Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.

From Denmark to a couple of Japanese pieces.  Firstly 'Miso' written for Black Dyke by John Golland when they went to Japan in 1988 and it featured Laura Lea on tenor horn and Steven Williams on Baritone.  It is certainly different, and as the piece progresses the Japanese style in the music is evident.  Both the soloists did extremely well.  Laura is a student at the RNCM in Manchester and at it was at the aforementioned college three days after this concert, the band were due to perform 'A Building In Progress' by Gavin Higgins- a major work for band based on the time Gavin spent in halls at RNCM and all the building work being carried out there, and 'Pyramid For Brass'  by Steven Williams.  It is testament to the bands ability that they are able to perform challenging works for the medium in these two concerts.

The second Japanese piece was Gareth Wood's 'Slumber Song'.  Ian Porthouse described this music as similar to playing all the 'black notes on a piano'.  For certain, it is atmospheric and the band carried it off well with some fine playing from JJ Lees, Mark Wear on soprano and Mike Fox on euphonium.

The final two pieces in the first half came from New Zealand and Australia respectively.  Dr Peter Graham arranged the Maori Lullaby for band to celebrate the wedding of Victoria Farrington to Peter Hadfield - both banders.  This was some of the nicest playing of the whole night, almost effortless, and yet so musical.

Quintessence was written by Robert Redhead in 1978, and it is about the history of Australian-style Salvationism.  Ian Porthouse spent time explaining to the audience the origins of the piece and with help from players, performed little snippets of the score to give people a greater understanding about the music.

The opening is majestic before the Australian National Anthem comes in (Advance Australia Fair) and the cornet section was particularly impressive in the lively section which depicts people running around encouraging others to join the Salvation Army.  The middle prayerful section of the piece  (a setting of the song 'At thy Feet Adoring' was sensitive and meaningful.  During the last third all the elements heard previously join together and it is a real tour-de-force that the band coped extremely well with.  A terrific end to the first half.

The second half entitled 'From the Rhine to the Big Apple' featured music from Germany, Africa, India and the USA.  Howard Snell arranged music called Beethoven's Beano a few years ago and throughout the music various bits of Beethoven's tunes appear and it is a real showcase for the principal trombone, in this case Lisa Sarasini, who was very comfortable in the solo lines.

Onto South Africa and 'Water from an Ancient Well' was arranged for band by Simon Wood and features just nine players - the principal cornet, two flugels, horns baritones and euphonium and a trombone.  Here was an example of controlled ensemble playing with all the performers working well together.  This is music that was unusual but I certainly would enjoy hearing it again.

The Night of Two Days translates into Aaaj ji raat - Indian music that was rhythmical, and gave the percussion section plenty to do.  They certainly drove this piece that was another one that can be described as 'different'!

Mike Fox, the bands euphonium player, demonstrated his skills in the familiar 'Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair' before the band tackled three movements from Peter Graham's 'Windows of the World'.  Commissioned for YBS at the Europeans in 2000, this is another musical selection that a number of bands perform nowadays, and in a concert such as this one; a good choice with musical 'windows' from various parts of the globe.   Three movements were chosen: the Latin style 'Amazonia', 'Rainforest' featuring Laura Lea on tenor horn, and the lively finale, 'Earth Walk' where principal cornet players can 'Ad-lib' as they please and JJ Lees certainly did that alright.

Music from the USA was the final official item and an arrangement called 'America' by Alan Fernie - a mix of the 'Star Spangled Banner' and 'America' from West Side Story. 

As an encore the band chose to play some music from the Harry Potter movies.  It brought to an end an interesting and different programme that was well received by the audience.  This is a band that continues to impress on both the contest and concert platform.  The hard work and team spirit in evidence is certainly paying off.

Malcolm Wood
Copyright 4Barsrest.

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