Led expertly by John Ward, Fulham presented an all-Russian programme to an appreciative audience in the pleasant setting of St Etheldreda's Church.

Dizzy Stratford's 'Glasnost' is something of an acquired taste but, by playing the first section very straight it was effectively focussed with its lively treatment of 'Song of the Volga Boatman' and 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'.

Thrilling account

Having discovered that Phil Lawrence had an arrangement of the 'Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture', John Ward set about adjusting the scoring so it could be included; making use of piano and glockenspiel to cover where required. 

Demanding on the players and frequently sparsely scored, the band produced a thrilling account, capturing the various moods of the original from the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets to the soaring love theme.

Pianist Fraser Graham presented the second movement of Rachmaninov’s ‘Piano Concerto No 2' in an arrangement by William Himes.

After the opening cadenza the band introduced the melody famously employed in the film 'Brief Encounter'. The interaction between soloist and ensemble was effective, with some particularly fine playing from the euphonium towards the end.

Demanding on the players and frequently sparsely scored, the band produced a thrilling account, capturing the various moods of the original from the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets to the soaring love theme.

Red Army

There was an echo of the Red Army ensemble with Sandy Smith's 'Let's Roll'; an arrangement of a Russian march in which the solo cornets played into the bells of the four basses.

Fraser Graham returned to present two solo items; the abrasive sounds of Prokofiev contrasting with the predominantly romantic lyricism of Rachmaninov's 'Sonata No 2', before the concert ended with Ray Farr's cleverly realised extracts from ‘The Firebird', opening with the vigour of the 'Infernal Dance of King Kastchei' in which the xylophone played a prominent part. 

There was a moment's respite as the trombone introduced the 'Berceuse', with lavish sounds as the band joined in. The driving 7/4 finale came across well, although the brass band cannot fully replicate the rich French horn sound of the original. 

With its echoes of 'Pictures at an Exhibition' it brought a most enjoyable concert to a stunning conclusion.

Peter Bale