Fairey FP (Music) Band
28-Oct-2004Best of Brass at Morley Town Hall
Conductor Major Peter Parkes
Saturday 23 October 2004
Founded in 1937 as the Fairey Aviation Works Band, from a group of employees the band has had many successes over its 67 year history, winning the British Open sixteen times as well as the National title nine times - the most recent in 2003. Like most bands it goes through periods of change, and this was most evident early this year when the band now known as the Fairey FP (Music) Band lost some of its most experienced players for one reason or another. With the appointment of Alan Howarth as Band Manager though, they have started to rebuild with the emphasis on youth and it will hopefully herald a quick return to the top of the band movement
The march, Victors Return by Rimmer opened the concert and this was followed by the overture, Carnival Romain by Berlioz. A good opening was slightly spoiled by some poor trill work but it settled down to some fine euphonium playing from Michael Howley in the opening section followed by some excellent playing throughout the band. If there is any conductor who can bring some magic moments to any piece of music it is Major Peter Parkes and the band responded to him to give a most exciting performance of this well loved piece. The tempo was brisk but the clarity shone through and there was not a lot wrong with this new version of the band on this showing.
The first soloist to play was Nick Walkley, the band's new principal cornet and he chose the old favourite, The Nightingale by Moss. There is no doubt that this young man has a fine talent, a lovely warm sound and excellent technique and he gave a most musical performance of this solo with nice sensitive backing by the band. Providing he keeps both feet firmly on the ground he will follow on from some of the other top cornet players who have held this top seat for sure.
Tico Tico in a arrangement by Drake kept the concert flowing along before the next soloist, the band's principal euphonium Michael Howley gave us music by Brodszky in, Be My Love. A good sounding player who plays with plenty of expression and this was a solo which suites his style. It was also nice to see this talented young man playing with a top band who will surely nurture him further as a performer.
Music by Irvin Berlin in Cheek to Cheek which in 1935 became the first No 1 in the charts based on the sales of sheet music. How things have changed! The band played it in great style as well. The hymn tune Nicea in which the first words are Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty in a arrangement by Dykes showed what no other musical ensemble can better - and that is play a fine arrangement of a hymn tune. The sound was superb and played with great feeling.
To end the first half the band played a selection from Bernstein's West Side Story. This was super playing - none more than in Somewhere where every ounce of feeling was brought out by the conductor and the players.
The band returned to music from Irving Berlin to open the second half in, Lets Face The Music And Dance and it certainly did that in great style. The soprano cornet is one of the most difficult instruments to play; indeed one could say rather than be qualified to play it one should be certified! Rebecca Crawshaw, another of the bands young talents, chose, On With The Motley by Leoncavallo as her solo, and this moving music suites the soprano and she gave a well controlled performance with plenty of feeling in her playing, with a nice sweet sound was evident, although a little forced in the top register. This young player has a lot going for her and given time will develop into a very fine player.
Slaughter on Tenth Avenue based on life in the slums of New York carried the concert forward and this music by Rodgers is full of colour and drama and the band captured the mood superbly. The trombone section was outstanding with some good work from the percussion section as well. Chris Pannell the bands solo horn player is one of the best young tenor horn players in the movement and in the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni he produced some fine playing. An excellent big sound backed up with some nice lyrical playing and the odd clip not detracting from the music in any way. Peter Parkes made sure the soloist had all the time in the world to express himself. Another young player with a big future in front of him.
Lennon/McCartney wrote some great songs and in Ticket To Ride the band gave a very descriptive performance with the sound of the train evident. That led to the hymn tune, Crimond, which is one of the most loved hymns, and as a request the band played it with great feeling showing again that hymn tune playing by brass bands is unbeatable.
The march, Midwest by Goff Richards, taken at breathtaking speed led us to the Finale in the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. This takes a lot of stamina to play and the band coped with it excellently. Great sounds early on from the horn section was followed by some quite dramatic playing all round the band to give a superb end to the concert. As an encore the band played The Radetzky March with the audience joining in.
On the evidence of this concert, the band is heading back in the right direction. The playing overall was excellent and the programme content first class. The near capacity audience left knowing they had heard a fine band.
Dave Tinker
