Brighouse & Rastrick Band 125th Anniversary Concert

Guest Soloist: David Childs
Conductors: James Gourlay & Derek Broadbent
Huddersfield Town Hall
Saturday 25th March

Brighouse commenced their 125th Birthday celebrations in fine style in this concert at Huddersfield Town Hall.  Traditionally, B&R spring concerts are a massed bands affair but no-one was going to gate-crash this celebration except their former euphonium player, David Childs.

Having opened with the familiar march ‘West Riding' played in its entirety when on most occasions it's the last few bars that are used to open a concert, it was evident that the band seemed relaxed and intent on enjoying themselves.

Sullivan's overture the ‘Yeoman of the Guard' was polished off with ease before the audience were treated to a waltz.  James Gourlay was in fine form during the night in his role as conductor and compere.  The MD made the point that a waltz on a band concert was a rarity these days, making a humorous reference to the more familiar sounds that a band has to make nowadays courtesy of modern compositions.

The ‘Fascination Waltz' by Marchetti was the first of three arrangements to be played on the night by Eric Ball.  B & R's performance was delightful on the ear and on a night when the emphasis is on light entertainment, it was the perfect choice.

David Childs of course needs no introduction at all, and it's easy to forget that like his father, Robert, he graced the principal euphonium seat at Brighouse just a few years ago.

James Gourlay told the audience they were in for a treat but even he was blown away by the musical brilliance of the young man on the night.  David chose four familiar standards from his substantial repertoire; four standards they might have been but four fantastic interpretations.  Grandfathers Clock, Myfanwy, Carnival of Venice & Brilliante all polished off within the blink of an eye.

Ketelbey's ‘In a Monastery Garden' and Knipper's ‘Cossack Patrol' provided a trip down memory lane as did Brighouse's performance of Dvorak's overture ‘Carnival'.

It's twenty six years since Derek Broadbent conduct the band in that winning performance in London to give them the National title; the man referred to affectionately by band President Paul Beaumont as ‘Mr B&R' stepped on stage to lead the band through what was a stunning interpretation of Geoffrey Brand's arrangement of the overture; superb ensemble playing, solo work from Alan Morrison, Nigel Fielding and Sam Fisher, coupled with edge of the seat tempos, the band produced its finest individual performance of the whole night.

To mark its 125th Anniversary, Brighouse launched a Composition Competition with the winning piece being performed on the night.  That winning piece was entitled ‘West Ridings' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.  Both the back row cornets and trombones were standing during the descriptive piece, so typical in style to that that can be heard whilst watching a movie.

In contrast, the band performed the Big Band number ‘Caravan' featuring Sam Fisher and Blue Rondo a la Turk with Alan Morrison in full flow during the famous solo passage.

James Gourlay indulged in music from his homeland with his delightful composition ‘Scottish Cradle Song' before dedicating ‘Song for Lea' (written for his wife in 1994) to all the ladies in acknowledgement of their support and understanding when band rehearsals for contests and concerts have taken priority.

Eric Ball's arrangement of the Finale from ‘Suite Gothique' was effortlessly performed before the popular ‘Radetzky March' was used as the first encore before the toe-tapping Derek Broadbent led the band through the piece that no B&R concert (and especially this one) is complete without, ‘The Floral Dance'.

Highlights of this fine concert are due to be broadcast on Listen to the Band in the not to-distant future.


Malcolm Wood

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