2005 RNCM Festival of Brass - Part 5 of 7

Brighouse and Rastrick Band
Sunday 23rd January

Conductors: James Gourlay and Prof. Edward Gregson
Soloist: James Gourlay
RNCM

Sunday dawned with Brighouse & Rastrick (James Gourlay and Professor Edward Gregson) taking the lunchtime slot.  As with Grimethorpe on the Friday evening, this had moments of real class but also disappointments too. 

McCabe's ‘Salamander' was the opening piece and the highlight of the whole concert. Alan Morrison on Principal Cornet was on fine form along with Alan Hobbins on soprano as James Gourlay conducted a performance that was an exciting start to the final day of the Festival.

One of the slight disapointments though was the decision to replace ‘Ascendit in Coeli and Altitude' with Martin Ellerby's ‘Requienscant Aberfan'.  This piece was included as a tribute to the Tsunami victims and was a fitting work in which to reflect, but many had looked forward to hearing the original programmed work. In the circumstances, the change was understandable and more than acceptable though.

James Gourlay swapped baton for tuba as he performed Gregson's ‘Concerto for Tuba and Band', conducted by the composer himself.  This was a fine show without doubt from the soloist, although there were some odd uncertain moments in the ensemble, but the performance of the cadenza through to the end was incredibly effective.

Brighouse chose to end their contribution with Elgar's ‘Severn Suite' of which the opening ‘Worcester Castle' was the finest of the four movements and it rounded off a quality concert that just didn't quite touch the highest levels. 

Malcolm Wood

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