Just Classical: Canterbury Foundation Brass
8-Nov-2006Conducted by Davey Boyes
NZSO Brass Ensemble – featuring Mark Carter (Trumpet), Cheryl Hollinger (Trumpet), Euan Harvey (French Horn), David Bremner (Trombone) and Andrew Jarvis (Tuba)
St Luke’s Church
Christchurch
Friday 3rd November 2006
On a slightly chilly spring evening in Christchurch a large enthusiastic audience was gathered in the very fine setting of St Lukes Church, to hear Canterbury Foundation self promoted concert, ‘Just Classical'.
The band got off to a very rousing start with Saint-Saens, ‘French Military March'. Some very good ensemble work was evident with excellent running quaver passages and some very worthy back row playing. Recent arrival from the UK, Shane Foster on soprano added a touch of class to this testing march.
Kevin McMorran showed why he is a very well respected cornet player with his wonderfully understated opening to Rienzi. On the whole the piece was well shaped and delivered however not without moments of scrappiness and uncertainty. What was impressive was the tone and strength of the tuba section. Gareth Lawless showed why the top British bands have been keen for his services with his immense presence on BBb.
NZSO players with Kevin McMorran and Davey Boyes
David Bremner introduced the NZSO Brass ensemble and they kicked off with ‘William Tell Overture'. In evidence immediately was the stirring rhythm and sublime commitment to each note. David Bremner was again appointed spokesman for the group and he slotted in easily into this role. He comes across as a very genuine and unaffected person and he really is. ‘The Saints Hallelujah' arranged by Henderson was next piece featuring the NZSO ensemble. It combines the Hallelujah Chorus with Oh When the Saints. A very interesting notion but I would have much preferred a rendition of the latter alone, the Hallelujah Chorus just left me a bit baffled, like I say it was an interesting idea but I couldn't see the point, the arrangers nuances in Oh When the Saints were brilliant enough to be left alone as a stand-alone arrangement. However, the trombone playing by David Bremner was nothing short of brilliant. He slots into any genre with seeming ease and flair. His technique is quite breath taking and to top it all off, he looks like he thoroughly enjoys himself when he plays. He makes an ideal ambassador and source of inspiration for the youth of our movement.
Back to the band and a slightly bumpy start of ‘Ave Verum' led again to the sublime playing of Kevin McMorran and some very tender accompaniments.
The combined forces of the NZSO, Canterbury Foundation and Barry Brinson on organ joined in Philip Wilby's arrangement of another Saint Saen's work, this time, the ‘Finale from the Organ Symphony'. The brass and organ worked very well together, which is testament to the skill and long standing musical relationship between Barry and Davey Boyes.
After a welcome breath of fresh air at the interval, the band resumed the concert with Light Cavalry and then the band and ensemble joined together in another Philip Wilby arrangement, this one entitled ‘Fantasia', which I remember was used as background music to a Levi jeans ad a couple of years ago (yes, I am cultured aren't I?). What a wonderful piece this is! It again gave the band the opportunity to feature Kevin McMorran. Kevin's heart and soul (and blood sweat and tears) go into this band and this was shown early this year when Kevin was presented with NZ Administrator of the Year for his work and dedication to the band.
David Bremner was honest enough to say that there was a slight mix-up in the ensembles programming. They hadn't realized that the concert was entitled Just Classical and had set a couple of jazz numbers for this half. As it happens this was just ideal, and provided the necessary light and shade to the progamme. Some excellent piccolo trumpet work was on display in Nagles' arrangement of ‘The Roaring Twenties.‘ Andrew Jarvis was quite stunning on tuba as well. It must have provided inspiration to the young lady brass players to see and hear a fabulous female trumpeter. Cheryl Hollinger originally hails from the US but has resided in NZ for the last seven years. She has a luscious warm tone and strong technique; she is also perhaps the most enthusiastic person I have ever met.
The final solo number from the group was ‘Sweet Georgian Brown'. Throughout each of the pieces presented by the ensemble, David Bremner was heavily involved. He is somewhat of a hero to NZ brass band players and with his display here, it is no wonder why. He was stunning.
An unfortunate mix-up with music meant that the ‘Duet for Two Cats' was doomed from the start. The playing was fine enough but perhaps a little more thought about choreography might have been wise and maybe the soloists performing without music could have provided a bit more of the musical joke to the audience. But there were some fine sounds from the two trombone players, Brian Eckersley and Phil Spriggs.
Throughout the concert, Davey Boyes provided excellent background information about each piece (although maybe a microphone would have been beneficial) and his shaping and direction of both band and music were first rate.
Band, organ and NZSO ensemble combined in the finale, 1812 Overture (in its entirety). Some lovely horn sounds came from Chris Foster (ex-Brighouse and Rastrick) and once again fine playing from tubas. A wonderful finale if not slightly hampered by some premature cathedral bells! The look on Davey Boyes face was priceless! Technology is great isn't it?
The audience were very appreciative and enthusiastic in their applause, the church was just about full and it was especially warming to see players from other bands taking the time to listen to another bands concert.
The joint forces played Grand March from Aida as their encore. All in all it was a very good concert and a wonderful opportunity for both young and old, brass players and non-brass players to hear a well directed band and a world class brass ensemble.
Alexandra Kerwin
2006
