Mitcham City Brass ‘Classics in Brass’
4-Jun-2006Mitcham City Brass (SA) delighted their community with a performance of ‘Classics’ in the Mitcham Village Institute, Sunday 27 May.
Mitcham City Brass conducted by Peter Smith
In February when Mitcham City Brass performed as part of the Adelaide Fridge Festival, it was reported that they were deserving of their 2005 ‘C' Grade Crown. It was also said that there was ample evidence to suggest that Musical Director Peter Smith was prepared to test the membership with pieces showcasing the bands principals and indeed the band itself. Accolades one may say a little arrogant to extol.
So on Sunday 27 May, when Mitcham Brass performed their ‘Classics in Brass' concert in the Mitcham Village Institute it was not disappointing to check on their progress.
Musical Director Peter Smith set Mitcham City Brass a demanding programme of classical numbers.
The performance kicked off with the Fanfare and Flourishes by Charpentier. Composed by James Curnow, this piece is based on Marc-Antonie Charpentiers Te Deum. Charpentier wrote his mighty and majestic Te Deum to commemorate the French victory at the Battle of Steinkerque on August 1692.
This opening number was brightly played and set the set the scene for the remainder of the concert.
Next up featured the works of Handel. Hornpipe from the Water Music and Concerto Grosso – 4th Movement Allegro followed.
More attention to dynamics was required for these two pieces. The Mitcham Village Institute is after all a ‘bright' venue.
Vivaldi's Winter was next and this piece is based on the beautiful largo movement from the Winter Concerto. Danny Deilkens on Soprano was stunning throughout and the Cornets played superbly. Craig Ellis on Cornet was a delight.
Overture – The Magic Flute by Mozart featured next. Mozart wrote this piece in 1791, after the French Revolution and just before he died. Bill Richards on Flugal was wonderful however the Tenor Horns struggled to be heard. The bass line shone through. This was a ‘huge' piece.
Gustav Holst's Jupiter Theme was an opportunity for Peter McIntyre and Tamina Judd on Euphonium to showcase their classy playing. The Planets Opus 32 is one of the best known compositions of Gustav Holst. This piece, is based on the beautiful melody from Jupiter The Bringer Of Jollity a part of the work The Planets. There was some lovely intonation in this piece and what a difference an extra tenor-horn made to the middle of the band. Danny Deilken on Soprano excelled again and the piece benefited from no over-blowing throughout.
Air From Suite No3 in D by Bach, and Shubert's Marche Militarie saw a quintet performance from Peter McIntyre – Euphonium , Musical Director - Peter Smith also on Euphonium, Peter Mitler on Bass, Josh Lane on Euphonium and Tamina Judd on Euphonium. This was an impressive performance from the lower end of the band. Well done.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu was stunningly undertaken by Danny Deilken on Soprano and Bill Richards on Flugal. Little wonder when this piece is played so well, that it climbed to the top of the popular music charts in Great Britain.
Serenade from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart followed.
We all had a chuckle at the expense of Musical Director Peter Smith and his pronunciation of Rondeau by Mouret.
Mitcham ended their ‘Classic's in Brass' Concert with Mozart's Ave Verum. A difficult piece at the best of times and well handled generally by the band. Again we could have expected more from the Tenor Horns but this needed to be kept in perspective and with some wonderful Euphonium playing. Deilkens on Soprano was superb.
Mitcham City Band has a proud tradition of supporting local musical talent and providing community entertainment. They have done this since 1901. The Mitcham community that turned out to support their band in the Mitcham Village Institute received a quality performance of classical pieces. Well done to Musical Director Peter Smith for continuing to set his band with a difficult programme to showpiece the very obvious talent within the band. In the post concert wrap up, Peter Smith agreed, that more warmth in the middle section of the band would be achieved with the addition of extra tenor-horns and/or baritones. Something perhaps for Mitcham to consider for their recruitment or development programme. The concert was held in a very ‘bright' venue, and at times the band didn't always play to the venue. Nonetheless it didn't detract from a very fine overall performance.
Mitcham City Brass will continue to be the band to watch for at the forthcoming State Competitions to be held in Tanunda on November 5 later this year.
Andrew Stone
