Black Dyke Band

Dr Nicholas J Childs
Huddersfield Town Hall
Saturday 10th July 2004

The second of Black Dyke's ‘Summer Promenade Concerts' promoted by the trustees of the band was what you expect from this fine band. In a word the standard of performance was ‘stunning'. Camille Saint-Saëns's ‘French Military March' got the proceedings off to a great start, the sound coming from the lower end of the band in the opening moments was majestic and Dr Childs and the band crafted a performance whereby, after one piece, the band had the audience just where it wanted it: in the palms of their hands.

The operatic overture was the Berlioz classic, ‘Le Corsaire' arranged by Geoffrey Brand. Sometimes you do wonder what composers like Berlioz would think of a modern day performance of their compositions: Smile, hopefully, as this was truly wonderful. The tempo allowed the band to express themselves with feeling and warmth, and there was some fine virtuoso playing all around the stand.

Michelle Ibbotson, the band's soprano player demonstrated what a beautiful voice of the instrument she is in Rusalka's ‘Song to the Moon'. The band has a number of projects on the go at the moment. A DVD is in the pipeline, a CD of ‘Summer Prom Music' has just been launched on the Doyen label, and the band are working on ‘The Golden Swing Era of Black Dyke' and three numbers were featured as a taster. ‘Opus One' which people might recall Dyke playing in the James Watson era as part of a ‘Ted Heath Big Band Set', closely followed by ‘I Only Have Eyes For You' featuring John French on euphonium (deputising for David Thornton in the principal's chair) and Adrian Hirst. Finally, the Harry James classic, ‘Trumpet Blues & Cantabile' featuring the whole of the cornet section, in a performance that had ‘swagger and panache' in abundance.

In 1975, Don Lusher performed the world premiere of Gordon Langford's ‘Rhapsody for Trombone'. Almost thirty years on, it is still one of the great pieces of the trombone repertoire and takes some playing. Brett Baker, Black Dyke's Principal Trombone can certainly play it, as he demonstrated in what was the outstanding highlight of the entire concert. Brett is working on another solo CD, which hopefully will be out in the autumn. David Thornton's masterclass elsewhere on 4BR talks about why players can make things sound so easy and Brett certainly applies all the principles. The control of the instrument in the various musical styles from the young man was brilliant. It was one of those performances where the audience is transfixed on the player and forgets the accompanying band, who were also excellent.

The first half concluded with Tchaikovsky's classic ‘March Slav' that has musical references to the Russian National Anthem. That magical Black Dyke bass sound was once again evident throughout this performance, and as with the 'French Military March' and 'Le Corsaire' earlier. Dyke upped the ante when they needed too with consummate ease.

The second half opened up with a reprise of part of the British Open test piece from 2003, ‘Jupiter' from The Planets. Once again, Black Dyke was right on the money with the opening having plenty of exciting sounds. The ensemble playing extremely tight, but with bundles of energy, with the climax just sparkling.

A complete change of mood and a chance for everyone to hear the popular theme tune from Ground Force, before the band gave a surprise to Ken Membury. Mr Membury has for many years been involved in the banding scene with Thame Band, and Jubilee Brass, and has this year celebrated a landmark birthday. Dr Nicholas Childs invited the gentleman onto stage to do what so many want to do, and only a few get the chance to do: conduct Black Dyke. The chosen item? ‘Deep Harmony' – real quality playing and an experience the gentleman will never forget.

The popular feature ‘Soloist Showcase' had three Black Dyke players taking centre stage to each demonstrate their versatility. First of all, Lesley Howie, gave a commanding performance of the ‘Finale from the Violin Concerto' by Mendelssohn, before John Doyle on flugel delighted the audience with the popular ‘Children of Sanchez'. Finally, Bass Trombonist, Adrian Hirst, played ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. This commenced with some lovely ensemble playing at the side of the stage, before the solo takes shape.

To finish, it was a return to the Promenade music once again. The 'Fantasy on British Sea Songs' is always a favourite with the ‘Sailors Horn Pipe' having the usual ‘audience participation' clapping along in time to the music. As is traditional, a reprise for the audience, who were led superbly by Nicholas Childs who really got into the spirit of things. This is of course followed by ‘Thine Be The Glory' and ‘Rule Britannia' all performed in the real spirit of the occasion.

No Promenade concert would be complete without some Elgar and his ‘Pomp and Circumstance Number 1' had quality all the way through. A brief reprise was closely followed by ‘How Great Thou Art' as the encore, with that Black Dyke sound once again filling the hall.

Superbly led by Morvern Gilchrist, Black Dyke made up for the non-summer weather with another concert that demonstrated why they have one of the busiest calendars around.

Malcolm Wood

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