Richard Marshall

Weston Silver Band
Conductor: Larry Shields
Toronto & Stratford, Ontario
Saturday/Sunday April 28th/29th

Richard Marshall was recently in Canada as guest soloist with Weston Silver Band. The band hosted Richard for a concert in Toronto, and the following afternoon performed the same concert in Stratford, Ontario.

The concert opened with WSB playing Patrick Williams 'Fanfare for a Celebration' which had been transcribed by the band's first baritone Theresa MacDonald. This lively piece got the night off to a good start and the band followed up with the march 'Vimy Ridge' and then the evocative 'Hymn to the Fallen' by John Williams, the latter piece featured very nice horn playing by Dave Stevens and flugel Cathy Webb.

The buzz in the Humber College auditorium increased as it was now time for the first of Richard's guest spots. For his first two solos he chose Terry Camsey's 'Life's Pageant' followed by Alan Catherall's transcription of 'People'.

With Life's pageant the audience was treated to the highest display of Cornet playing you could wish for, Richard's silky smooth sound and his shaping and moulding of  phrases, not to mention the stunning technique had the audience mesmerised from the first note to the last.Richard then switched to Trumpet for 'People' and gave a wonderful display of lead Trumpet playing, 'big band style'.This type of arrangement suited the band and was very well accompanied.

To end the first part of the concert WSB played three lighter pieces, Moon River,Penny Lane arr. Darrol Barry and Steve Sykes arrangment of Duke Ellington's 'Caravan'. Again the band really captured the big band style needed for 'Caravan'  and it brought the first half to an exciting close.

WSB opened the second half with an vigorous performance of Curnow's Blenheim Flourishes and then turned to the evergreen ' Floral Dance', there were a few Brighouse fans in the hall who particularly enjoyed it.

Richard was then back on the stage and again showed off his wonderful sound and lyrical playing with Ray Steadman-Allen's arrangement of 'Someone cares'. For me this was the highlight of the night, Richard displayed incredible control in his soft playing and you really could have heard a pin drop.

Richard then switched gears completely and followed up with Virtuosity and indeed it was Virtuoso Trumpet playing at it's best.The high F at the end is probably still resounding over Lake Ontario!!!!

WSB then played Eric Ball's resurgam and did a fine job.Kelly Devenish filling in as Principal Cornet for the night played the solo very nicely and again the solo horn/Flugel shone the band then finished with Peter Graham's Swedish Folk Song.

Of course the audience wanted an encore and Richard and his wife, Rebecca were joined by the front row of the band in 'Bugler's holiday' it was lightning quick and sent the audience home with their toes tapping.

The band and Richard travelled to Stratford the next day and performed the same concert for an enthusiastic crowd.

After a few days R & R in the Niagara region Richard and Rebecca travelled to London where Richard was to feature as guest soloist with Orchestra London.  This was Richard's first solo appearance with an orchestra and chose to play Russalka's Song to the moon which was an inspired choice. The combination of Richard's cornet sound, which MD Brian Jackson referred to as "something you can hear just the other side of heaven", accompanied by a full string orchestra was indeed breathtaking. 

Phil Lawrence kindly agreed that the Orchestra could feature the North American Premiere of  'Blaze' with Richard, and Tim Lockwood who plays French Horn in the Orchestra produced a very skillfull 'wind band' version for the concert.

Shawn Spicer, Principal Trumpet with the Orchestra, described Richard's performance as the most stunning display of virtuoso brass playing he had heard and I would agree !!

Blaze is a staggering piece that not only takes a ton of courage to stand on your feet and play but to play it as brilliantly as Richard did was thrilling to hear. Bravo Richard Marshall !!!!!!

This was the second time Richard has been in Canada as soloist, the previous time was eight years ago...it's safe to say eight years won't go by before his next visit !!

David Robertson

^back to top