Black Dyke Band

Conductor: Dr. Nicholas Childs
Morley Town Hall
Friday March 17th

The sold out notices were in force well before the date for this concert and those of us who were fortunate to be present heard playing of the highest calibre from a band who's reputation around the world is synonymous with quality.

Opening with Rimmer's popular march 'Viva Birkenshaw'  the bands warm sound was evident with a nice steady tempo allowing the clarity of the solo lines and ensemble work to shine through. This was followed by the Weber overture 'Oberon' in which the opening had some fine muted playing and some equaly fine solo baritone playing from Gareth Brindle. The band excelled in this music and apart from a little untidiness from the cornets at one section the overall performance was one of the highest quality. Traditional in context it may have been, but it was a thoroughly modern approach by the band and it was given a thrilling performance.

The first soloist of the evening was Richard Marshall the bands recently appointed principal cornet who chose music from the Australian composer Percy Code in a superb rendition of 'Zelda'. The soloist romped through the music producing everything that makes him such a top class player. The sound projection, purity and security of technique was of the highest order. This young man will surely carry on the tradition of the many fine principal cornets the band has held over its history. It was impeccable playing.

Malcolm Arnold's 'Four Cornish Dances' each one in total contrast to the other, and classily played led us on to the next soloist and the legendary Peter Roberts on soprano cornet.  Peter chose Bennet's 'Trumpet Voluntary' [not to be confused by Purcell's] and this player never ceases to amaze with his superb range and total control over his instrument. The lovely opening lyrical passage gave way to a thrilling piece of almost baroque brilliance and a stunning ending. It was some performance.

The first half ended with two songs from Bernstein's 'West Side Story' - 'America' and 'Somewhere'. The Latin excitement in 'America' was matched by some beautiful pianissimo playing in 'Somewhere'  and it was a great way to finish the first half.

Peter Graham's neat and clever 'Academic Fanfare' got the second half of to an appropriate majestic start before Brett Baker on trombone treated us to Arthur Pryor's arrangement of 'Annie Laurie', possibly the least well known and played of his many showcase solos. Like all the principals in this band he gave a master class in control of technique allied to particularly fine lyrical playing. Martin Armstrong on tenor horn then gave a very warm and open account of Goff Richard's 'Demelza' before David Thornton on euphonium in Wilby's 'Song and Greek Dance' completed the soloist set which was of the highest calibre.

The band next went into their ''Big Band Set' with Cy Oliver's 'Opus One',  followed by 'I Only Have Eyes For You' which featured John French and Adrian Hirst on euphonium and bass trombone respectively. The set itself ended with the Kurt Weil inspired  'Mack The Knife' with all three numbers getting a rapturous applause from the audience. The whole set was also enhanced by some particulalry fine percussion work.  

The finale to the evening was Elms setting of 'The Battle of Trafalgar' superbly narrated by Matthew Routley, with a distinct Welshness to this particulalry 'English' celebration of the old one eyed philanderer. The band captured the mood of the battle and the death of Nelson perfectly with some great ensemble playing.

The band concluded the night with a nostalgic look back to the 1970's with . John Miles exciting 'Music' as an encore to what had been a superb concert played by a band who always give value for money. Leeds City Council are to be congratulated for running these concerts and long may they continue.

David Tinker

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