National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

Artistic Director: Bramwell Tovey
Guest Soloist: Jens Lindermann
Haden Freeman Concert Hall, RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 7th April

Having been based over in Yorkshire at the Harrogate Ladies College, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain headed over the Pennines to Manchester to conclude its week long course in terrific style. 

Clearly uplifted by the leadership of their Artistic Director, Bramwell Tovey and the presence of guest soloist, Jens Lindermann, the band tackled with relish the lip-sapping programme that gained them numerous plaudits from the large audience.

In paying tribute to Sir Malcolm Arnold, the band gave a confident reading of ‘Little Suite for Brass Op.80' with principal cornet, Paul Duffy who led the band superbly all night, demonstrating a lovely sound in the delight ‘Siciliano'.

The first classic to be featured from the brass band genre was Cyril Jenkins' ‘Life Divine'.  Here, Bramwell Tovey created a thrilling sound from the ensemble where the baritones and trombones excelled throughout. Robert Simpson's ‘Energy' was another classic for the band to get their teeth into.  With the challenges of the full programme, the MD admitted he'd considered leaving it out on the night, but collectively everyone dug deep to produce a performance of merit with Rebecca Crawshaw taking the difficult soprano passage in her stride.

Taking the plaudits: Bram Tovey leads the NYBBGB

In between the two test pieces was Heaton's meditative, ‘Just As I am'.  From the opening bars the MD once again inspired the band with a poignant performance with excellent dynamics that takes the listener through an emotional journey.

The star of the night was the guest soloist, Jens Lindermann.  Those present who'd heard Lindermann's virtuosity previously knew what they were in for, whilst those that hadn't were simply blown away.  In addressing the audience, Jens commented that working with the NYBBGB had been a ‘very special week for me'.

Swapping between flugel, cornet and trumpet, the audience were treated to four contrasting works.  Firstly, the delightful laid-back sound of the flugel in ‘Dusk', the fifth movement of Hugh Fraser's ‘Concerto for Jazz Orchestra' and the up-tempo ‘Malaguena' which saw the soloist cutting lose on trumpet in addition to engaging with the band.

Frank Proto's arrangement of ‘Carmen Fantasy' saw the soloist provide more jaw-dropping moments in segments of Bizet's popular work.  To conclude, it was back to where he'd started the evening with the lyrical sound of the flugel in the familiar ‘Concerto D'Aranjeuz'.

One of the on-going projects within the NYBBGB is to perform John Pickard's ‘Gaia Symphony'.  Last summer it was the final segment, ‘Men of Stone', whilst this course tackled the opening ‘Tsunami' where the musical picture painted is one of chaos as a tidal wave takes hold. The band had clearly worked hard during the week on the work and produced a very convincing interpretation that opens in dramatic fashion.  Special mention must go to the lower brass and percussion sections here for their contributions. 

Of particular interest on the programme was the inclusion of Bruce Broughton's ‘Masters of Space and Time'.  The descriptive work was a joint commission American Brass Band Association and the British Open Brass Band Championship in 2001 although it has yet to have been selected for The Open. On the evidence of this performance of a very challenging work that tests the players to their limits, it seems a little strange that it hasn't been selected.  The players clearly enjoyed the challenge, the audience appreciated it and so did the composer, who'd not only come over especially to hear the band perform his work but did confess to the audience that he was disappointed that the work hadn't been used after its commission.

During the course, the players have spent time recording some of the repertoire performed on the night of which ‘Masters of Space and Time' is one such piece – it will of course give everyone the opportunity to hear the work and engage in debate is to its suitability for The Open (or any other contest come to that) of which it was suggested at the time was ‘too complex in style to be used at the contest'. Perhaps another concern was whether it would appeal to the audience on the day!

Rimmer's march ‘Punchinello' was taken at a brisk tempo before the audience got a surprise with a reprise of the march courtesy of the players humming their parts – different but effective and so much fun, epitomising not just the night, but the whole week in many ways.

To conclude the concert, a touch of class from the MD in the hymn tune, ‘St Clement' where the structure of the phrases was a joy to behold.

Congratulations go to everybody involved in this concert and the week itself, from the players to all the staff and administrator Philip Biggs.

If this concert is anything to go by, the players can't wait to meet up once again and continue their musical education that will stand them in good stead for wherever their playing takes them.

Malcolm Wood

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