St Kilda Brass

Master Brass
Kings Performing Arts Centre
Saturday 12th May
Guest Conductor – Peter Adams
Euphonium Soloist – Steve Miles
Cornet Soloist – John Lewis

Saturday 12th May 2007 marked the start of this year's subscription concert series presented by St Kilda Brass sponsored by the Southern Victorian Charitable Trust.  I must say it has been a long wait since the final concert of last years series back in November, however I am pleased to say that it was worth the wait.

Somewhat skeptical about the heavy programme ahead, my mind was eased considerably when reading the well worded explanation given by the Musical Director in the forward of the evenings programme notes.  An evening that was to showcase no less than 3 ‘Test pieces' and 2 Concerto's.

The concert started with Peter Meechan's B of the Bang a New Zealand premiere that found instant favor with the large Dunedin audience, full of energy and enthusiasm in the Cornet section and excitement provided by the constant repetition in the accompaniment lines, whilst a new Trombone team executed with great precision.

Next on the programme the band took the audience back to 1932 with John Ireland's A Dowland Suite.  I must say it was a first for me to hear this piece in it's entirety as I had only previously heard the beautiful Elegy from this work.  The first movement certainly never lacked rhythmic drive but was a little heavy for my taste in the approach to the running passages which just came across a little labored.  The second movement Elegy showed off the beautiful sounds of newly appointed National Band Principal Cornet John Lewis with some rare but lovely solo sounds featured in the Baritone section.  A very brisk Minuet skipped along very pleasantly before the final technical brilliance of the Rondo which again at times was given a slightly heavy approach for my taste.

John Lewis performs his own composition

John Lewis as a Cornet player needs little introduction to the Dunedin audience as his talents have been displayed on many occasions to thunderous applause, however John Lewis as a Composer is more of an unknown quantity.  Lewis first wrote his Cornet Concerto back in 1995 but this evening's performance was the first with Brass Band accompaniment.  The opening of the first movement was full of atmosphere and tension enhanced greatly by the musicality of the soloist.  Some rhythmic unease in the accompaniment emerged at times in this busy first movement but did little to detract from the technical brilliance displayed by the soloist.  Warm and Beautiful playing was a feature of the second movement from both soloist and band and the control in the upper register of the solo line was sheer class.  The final movement brought a fitting conclusion to a well presented work which I hope will be heard in this form again in the near future.

The final piece of the first half was Wilfred Heaton's 1973 Contest Music.  Guest conductor Peter Adams handed the baton to St Kilda's Musical Director Steve Miles for this number during which the band displayed an incredible range of dynamics and rhythmic unity.  The second movement was very lyrical despite the slight intonation worries at the start in the Trombone line and John Lewis again was a feature with a 7 second long high C#!  The last movement was particularly dramatic with the band sustaining the rhythmic drive and tight ensemble needed before an incredibly powerful finish.

St Kilda Brass performing Contest Music

The second half featured the bands Musical Director and usual concert conductor Steve Miles as the soloist and he had chosen to play Phillip Wilby's Concerto for Euphonium.  Technical wizardry would be an understatement in describing this performance with long running passages, triple tonguing and lip slurs in abundance executed with dazzling precision.  The energy and atmosphere of the Greek Dance was a real feature as was the very lyrical Sarajevo Song.  The band was just a fraction loud at times to accommodate the almost whispered quite dynamics of the soloist but what an exciting finale together with soloist top Z!!! 

Euphonium soloist - Steve Miles

A moment to relax with Leonard Ballantine's Mid All the Traffic.  This hymn tune was just lovely from start to finish with the band creating such a beautifully warm sound throughout the dynamic range.  The audience was just about in a daze at the conclusion of this piece before the finale George Lloyds Diversions on a Bass Theme.  A fitting finale for the band who performed this piece back in 1992 the last time they won the National Championship of New Zealand.  I'm sure this performance would have done equally as well at competition level though the tempo did rock a little at times between the outer ranks of the band and the basses but generally a very satisfying listening experience.

The encore was not another test piece (for which the band would have been pleased I'm sure) and Peter Adams and St Kilda romped through Goff Richards arrangement of The Saints which drew cheers and whistles from a very excitable audience.

St Kilda's trombone section

I must admit I am becoming a bit of a St Kilda groupie and have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 or 4 concerts that I have attended.  This concert was no different and although the programme was somewhat heavier than one usually expects from a brass band the entertainment was no less enjoyable.  I heard one audience member remark ‘that was just like going to see the sinfonia…only better!'  I agree!!!

Sean McDonald
Dunedin

^back to top