Woolley Pritchard Sovereign Brass

Conductor: Trevor Jones
Saturday 5th February 2005

To provide a concert that contained rediscovered music by nationally and internationally known composers is in itself a credit to the band and concert organisers. But allied to that, the evening was a true 'classical' concert containing only quality works for band played to an audience of regular concert goers, supplemented by those of us 'banders', and which was for this listener, a delight.

This 'Local and Live' concert season features local talent and on this occasion the band and composers were all local or had major local connections.

The programme started with ‘Concert Overture', the first of three rediscovered compositions for brass band by Christopher Edmunds, one time principal of the Birmingham School of Music. Edmunds was introduced to the brass band by Gilbert Vinter and wrote several pieces for full band, none of which have been published.

'Prometheus Unbound' by Bantock followed, then two shorter pieces by Ketelby. The first half closed with 'Macbeth' by Edmunds. Michael Jones had unearthed these scores in the Birmingham University Library and along with Trevor Jones had prepared the scores for performance. ‘Macbeth' is a dark piece in keeping with the story, asking questions of any band with some unusual scoring and producing some menacing sounds at times.

The second half opened with a brand new work by Robert Foster entitled, ‘Mirage'. Robert was in attendance and spoke after about the thrill of hearing his music played 'by such a capable band in a great setting'. In particular Robert was complimentary about the playing of principal cornet David Mapleston, back with Sovereign but in a playing role. Robert was a pupil of Phillip Wilby and Wilby's influence could be heard especially in his use of space and style in the work. This is certainly a work that deserves more than one playing.

'Entertainments' by Gilbert Vinter followed, which again produced some fine playing from the band, whilst a lighter note was struck with Ketelby's ‘In a Persian Market'. The finale was well worth waiting for 'Threnody' (on the death of Gilbert Vinter) again by Edmunds is very akin in style to 'Procession to the Minster' in that the music builds from a quiet start to a grand finale. Of all the pieces this was for me the most outstanding work of the evening. Not only a great 'finisher' for concerts but an original work too for entertainment contests.

Well done to all. The applause was genuine, the music of high quality, the playing of a high standard and the musical direction clear and full of insight.
 
Dave Bishop-Rowe

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