*
banner

Cory Band

RNCM Brass Band Festival
Conductor: Philip Harper
Soloist: Benjamin Powell
RNCM, Manchester
Sunday 29th January

Cory brought a memorable 2017 Festival to a close with a virtuosic performance that underpinned their status as the world’s number one ranked band.

There was also no mistaking the pride on show either, as the display of their accumulated silverware provided a timely reminder of what others will have to do if they are to also challenge their contesting supremacy.

Flamboyant

Howard Snell's sparkling arrangement of the overture to 'Candide' was a flamboyantly polished opener, setting the scene for pianist Benjamin Powell to perform Ellerby's intoxicating 'Cabaret Concerto'.

In a quirky link to Howard Snell’s ‘Gallery’ heard the previous day, the eight movements were inspired by paintings - this time with musically suggestive titles by one artist, James Abbott McNeil. It was a wonderfully entertaining work and performance, brilliantly capricious from start to finish.

Stature enhanced

The first half closed with 'Freedom' by Hubert Bath; a compact symphonic suite rather a mini-symphony, packed to the gunnels with detailed ambition. It still asks a great deal of the performers with its timeless qualities, although there was little doubt its stature was further enhanced in a reading of breadth and understanding. 

Following the interval, Gustav Holst's ‘Capriccio’. Originally written in 1932 in response to an American request for a short radio piece, it has been splendidly resurrected for a second time by Paul Hindmarsh (Imogen Holst undertook the first in 1967). The exquisite colourings and textural balances were lithe and light - the performance the same.

Compositional fray

Philip Harper has recently voiced his concern about the current state of test-piece repertoire. In response he has bravely entered the compositional fray with ‘Cantabile’ - a substantial work that attempts to link the sound of a brass band to that of the varied timbres and styles of the singing voice. Transparent, expressive and more than a little intriguing, its thoughtfulness triggered many questions in the listener’s mind.

Stunning conclusion

To close, a tour-de-force 'Ravelling, Unravelling' - the work that secured Cory the European title in Lille last year. Sparke's weaving, intertwined homage to Ravel's ‘La Valse’ became a masterful display of technical artistry, compelling in its controlled momentum that inexorably led to a stunning conclusion.
 
The lollipop encore of a perfectly ‘thunderous’ bit of Sousa, aided by the generous invitation to members of the James Madison University Band to join Cory on stage, was a star-spangled way to round off a superb weekend of ‘Transatlantic’ music making.

 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    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd