Cathedral Brass - St Kilda Brass

When - 20 August
Conductor – Steve Miles
Soloist – Brett Baker (Trombone)
Venue – Knox Church, Dunedin

Knox Church was the venue for the latest in St Kilda Brass's series of subscription concerts, the Church well known in Dunedin for its wonderful acoustic.  The band entered the stage area in their usual immaculate fashion and formed into a slightly unorthodox formation with the Bass section sitting where the Trombones are usually seen.  The Cornet section was split into two fanfare groups stood either side of the band with Trombones stood on risers at the back and with no hesitation after the arrival of Conductor Steve Miles, the band were straight into their opening number John Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme.  This was full of drive and excitement and the placement of the fanfare groups gave a very Brilliant antiphonal effect.

St Kilda Brass performing Olympic Fanfare and Theme

The first major work of the programme came in the form of Eric Ball's Resurgam.  Though the very opening of the work was a little bumpy the band gave a very musical account of this piece with all soloists showing real class, none more so than Principal Cornet John Lewis who's playing of the Cornet solo was just breathtaking.  The infamous ‘fate knocking on the door' section of the piece was overcome with apparent ease as the ensemble remained tight throughout.   The piece ended with some very impressive quiet playing and great breath control from the Trombone section.  Trombones were to be a big part of this afternoon' s entertainment and after a brief introduction Brett Baker entered the performance area to perform Paul Lovatt-Coopers' Earths Fury.  This was a New Zealand premiere and at first glance at the programme I thought that this piece (a Trombone Concerto) would be a little heavy for an afternoon concert.  However I was pleasantly surprised by Lovatt-Coopers very listenable style which from start to finish was reminiscent of the film music of John Williams.

Brett Baker performing with St Kilda Brass conducted by Steve Miles

Earths Fury is a three movement work the first movement entitled Twister which describes a busy American town carrying on with their everyday lives when a Twister forms in the distance and gradually causes havoc and devastation.  What a real treat it was to hear the technical brilliance of Brett Baker who made the angular leaps in this first movement sound like an exercise that could be mastered by a complete novice.  The second movement entitled Lost Memories describes the devastation felt by the people of the town as they come to terms with their shattered lives.  The movement was a little shaky to start in the Horn section and the intonation was a little wayward.  However, this problem corrected itself once more voices were added to the mix.  Brett Baker showed great control through this section with some superb high playing particularly in the close of the movement where he seemed to hold the same note for several minutes.  The final movement is entitled Succeed the Storm which describes how the townsfolk rebuild their lives and live in their new metropolis.  Brett soared over the top of the band here and the balance between soloist and band was never in doubt – even in the ff sections where the band gave it plenty!

Leigh Bakers Elegy for Eddie, written for the funeral of Eddie Noble M.B.E was next on the programme.  Again a shaky start to the piece, this time by Solo Euphonium but some lovely sounds from the band and a well balanced muted section from the back row.  Goff Richards Armenian Fire Dance came next at a real breakneck speed.  How impressive this was as the ensemble was clinical from start to finish with technical brilliance on show from most of the band but particularly from Cornets and Xylophone.

The end of the first half was signaled by another Eric Ball piece this time The Kingdom Triumphant.  This is a work which calls for beauty of sound from start to finish of the piece as well as some very tight ensemble playing.  Trombones were a key element in the success of this piece as they excelled throughout a very musically directed performance. 

A very unusual start to the second half saw the band march slowly in from the back of the church led by a sextet playing Just a Closer Walk.  The choreography of this was well handled although one or two players looked to be just going through the motions rather than being as exuberantly involved as Trumpet player Hamish Miller.

St Kilda Brass with Steve Miles as conductor

As with all of St Kilda's concerts since the arrival of conductor Steve Miles there is always something Welsh or related to Wales on the programme and the next piece was this afternoon offering from the valleys, Tony Smalls arrangement of Karl Jenkins Adiemus – Songs of Sanctuary.  The first movement, Adiemus was led superbly well by some fine Horn and Flugel playing.  Percussion were on show throughout this piece raised at the back of the band for all to see and their rhythmic playing secured the band in the second movement Cantus Inequalis after a slightly awkward opening section from the Solo Horn.  It's always good to see performers enjoying themselves and the Percussion team seemed to relish the extra work needed in this piece as both played and looked the part.

Percussion again were a feature in the bands next piece, Pastime with Good Company which brought more cheers and whistles from an excitable audience before the reintroduction of the afternoon soloist.  Brett Baker's second half contribution came in the form of Annie Laurie, Over the Rainbow, The Nightingale and Georgie On My Mind.  Immaculate triple tonguing, lightning fast slide action, incredible range and dexterity combined with an always full and beautiful tone.  Is there anything that this man can not play – all I can say is WOW!!!  A pleasure to listen to.

The band continued their programme by featuring the Horn section in Vivaldi's Winter from the Four Seasons.  This was beautiful and led superbly by Solo Horn Matt Taine with Percussion once again adding some brilliance to the performance.  Rodney Newtons' Village Wedding from Echoes of the East followed which seemed to take the band by surprise a little at the start but soon settled.  Some wrong notes appearing in the Euphonium line throughout this piece did detract a little though the overall performance was very exciting.

The finale to the concert was Howard Snells arrangement of Wagner's Procession to the Minster from Lohengrin.  Beautiful sounds were in abundance here and the talents of John Lewis (Cornet) Marty Kibble (Flugel) and Gary Valentine (Soprano) were a real feature.  The sound of the band just grew and grew to an enormous climax, which if held any longer by the conductor would surely have seen some casualties.  An obligatory encore featured the whole Trombone section with Brett Baker back on stage joined by Flugel Horn to play I Will Follow Him.  Again some very interesting choreography as lines of the band swayed in different directions creating a windscreen wiper like effect – a good fun end to a very enjoyable afternoon.

There are great things happening here in Dunedin in terms of brass playing.  I have never attended three concerts given by St Kilda Brass in one year before never mind having the privilege of being entertained by world class guest artists such as Simone Rebello and Brett Baker.  What next then I wonder?  I look forward in anticipation to future events – long may they last!

Sean McDonald
(Dunedin)

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