Tredegar rounded off a busy month of high profile concert performances with this appearance as part of the prestigious Innsbruck Promenade Concert series.

The month long programme of outdoor events in the courtyard of the Hofburg Imperial Palace attracts thousands of visitors per year to a venue that alongside the Hofburg and Schonbrunn Palaces in Vienna is considered to be one of Austria’s trio of most prized cultural buildings.

Showcase

With the temperature reaching well over 30 degrees, it was no surprise that a multi-cultural audience quickly bagged their seats in the shade for a two hour concert (no break) that that was a showcase of musical variety as well as stamina from the Welsh band.

The concert organisers ask for a programme to cater for informed tastes from their invited ensembles: The obvious Strauss opener of ‘Festmusik der Stadt Wien’ was therefore followed by a Berlioz overture (‘Le Corsair’), as well as well known favourites from Mozart (‘The Marriage of Figaro’), Caccini (‘Ave Maria’), Dargomyzhsky (‘Gypsy Dance’), Faure (‘Pavane’), Rutter (‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’) and Grieg (‘Hall of the Mountain King’) - and plenty more Strauss besides.

The charismatic Argentinean trombonist is so well known to the musical public in these parts that he was greeted with cheers before he even played a note.

Hot spot

Tredegar’s impressive stable of soloists also showcased their abilities; Dewi Griffiths, Martyn Patterson, Ben Stratford, Chris Davies, Andy Austin and Danny Winder all on classy form, whilst the cooling lollipops of ‘Rainbow Connections’, ‘Calling All Workers’ and ‘The Smile’ gave a specific brass banding taste to proceedings.  

The musical hot-spot though came with guest soloist Lito Fontana: The charismatic Argentinean trombonist is so well known to the musical public in these parts that he was greeted with cheers before he even played a note.

After his performances of the demanding ‘Colors’ concerto by Bert Appermont and his sensual ‘Libertango’ it wasn’t surprising that he gained a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, whilst the cultured playing of the band was warmly recognised in the same manner as they finally took their exhausted leave of the stage.

Markus Tollmann