*
banner

Tredegar Band

RNCM Brass Band Festival
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
Soloist: Dewi Griffiths
Featuring: Tom Redmond (narration); Adam Wright (organ); RNCM student ensemble
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 28th January

Over the past few years Paul Hindmarsh’s balanced artistic programming at the RNCM Festival has given Tredegar ample opportunity to reinforce their reputation as one of the world’s finest performers of contemporary brass band repertoire.

It has also allowed the event to build up a growing audience to hear works that are invariably found on the medium’s margins; those that break traditional conventions of inventiveness and innovation, asking listeners to open minds and loosen preconceptions.

Pushing boundaries

On this occasion Tredegar featured works by Heaton, Leidzen, Broughton, Wilby, Higgins and Dorothy Gates - not all revolutionary output, but each in their way pushing boundaries of compositional ambition.
 
They opened with ‘Celestial Prospect’ - a work turned down for publication by The Salvation Army after it was first performed in 1986, but which has since been wonderfully resurrected; Heaton’s quirky conventionality played with stylistic freedom and understanding.

So too with principal cornet Dewi Griffiths on Leidzen’s demanding ‘Songs in the Heart’, in a performance that flowed with rich, lyrical energy allied to the crisp clarity of an imposing technique.

Controlled energy

The welcome reprise of Broughton’s rather neglected ‘Masters of Space and Time’, abjectly dismissed in 2001 by the British Open Championship, was also given a performance worthy of its overdue rehabilitation - the broad symphonic structure ultimately bringing together fragmentary themes and motifs in a score that pulsates with controlled energy. 
 
The concert’s centrepiece however came with Wilby’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ - complete with narration, organ and student forces. A concise retelling of John Bunyon’s allegorical tale, it was a triumph of ingenuity and understanding; an everyman story of the dangers of doubt and temptation, splendidly enhanced by all the performers (with a notable fanfare lead by RNCM student Kathleen Gaspoz).

Microcosm

Two engrossing works closed the afternoon: The immersive ‘Ivory Ghosts’ by Gavin Higgins followed by the equally enigmatic, deeply evocative ‘Hope’ by Dorothy Gates - a microcosm exploration of the horrors and tragedies of modern day conflict, summed up by the pathetic awfulness of the mindless deaths of seven young Palestinian children.  

Its power to focus the musical intellect in such a commanding performance left you breathless, spent and questioning.

Malcolm Wood

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (15th) and we would welcome any players who fancy joining us for a relaxed and friendly blow.. All abilities are welcome and meeting with us has no impact on your main band.. Cake and coffee included FREE


Epping Forest Band

September 11 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts.. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room.. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm.


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd