The world’s number 1 brass band made a welcome return to Norwich to perform at the East Anglian Brass Band Association’s 80th annual Gala Concert.
Under MD Philip Harper they opened with a searing rendition of ‘Valero’ before following it up with a wonderfully characterised ‘Pique Dame’ overture full of superb contrasts of style and tempi.
Welsh roots
The first solo feature came courtesy of solo horn Ailsa Russell who performed the ‘Finale’ from Haydn’s ‘Cello Concerto’ with technical prowess, before the band turned to their Welsh roots with a beautiful rendition of ‘Myfanwy’ arranged by Kenneth Downie and the quirky ‘Serenade’ by Derek Bourgeois.
Flugel star Helen Williams subtle delivery of the atmospheric ‘Domen’ by Jan Magna Forde was a delicate Nordic detour before the first half concluded with the rousing ‘Balkan Dance’ by Etienne Crausaz.
Goff Richards’ ‘Calling Cornwall’ opened the second half before Philip Harper introduced Paul McCartney ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and ‘I’ll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends’ – the first of these giving the band the chance to showcase their vocal talents.
Flugel star Helen Williams subtle delivery of the atmospheric ‘Domen’ by Jan Magna Forde was a delicate Nordic detour before the first half concluded with the rousing ‘Balkan Dance’ by Etienne Crausaz.
Super changes
The filmatic ‘The Captain from Castile’ by Alfred Newman and ‘Mood Indigo’ by Duke Ellington were super changes of style and genre before Glyn Williams gave a moving rendition of ‘And Death Shall Have No Dominion’ inspired by the poetry of Dylan Thomas.
For the finale Cory played ‘East Meets West’, a musical fusion of Indian and British music traditions – to provide a fabulous end to a fabulous concert – the Vivaldi inspired encore earning another standing ovation.
