Hepworth Cookson Homes Band

A Night at the Classics
Huddersfield Town Hall 125th Anniversary Concert
Guests: Huddersfield Choral Society
Saturday 29th September

When you have the countries leading Choral society and one of the countries top bands you should be in for a great night of music making and that was certainly the case in what was a stunning concert from start to finish at Huddersfield Town Hall.
 
Conducted by Hepworth's MD Mark Bentham, the choir and band opened with a rousing performance of 'Zadok the Priest'. The quality of sound from both ensembles alongside the precision and balance between them both was superb, and the audience loved it.
 
The Band opened their solo spot with music by Mendelssohn, and his 'Saltarello' from 'The Italian Symphony'. Good music this and well played too with plenty of control of balance and timbre. Hepworth's principal cornet player Rob Westacott then delivered the 'Rondo & Allegretto' from Weber's 'Clarinet Concerto no.1'. This once again showed what a talented cornet player he is, producing excellent technique and a lovely lyrical sense of the musical line. The reception he received told its own story.
 
The Choral Society then gave us two pieces conducted by James Morgan. First 'Linden Lea' by Vaughan Williams followed by 'How Lovely are thy Dwellings'  by Brahms, both showcasing excellent control and musicality with superb balance.
 
A joint item followed arranged by Mark Bentham with the popular 'Jesu joy of Mans Desiring'  by Bach conducted by James Morgan that drew out some lovely moments from both ensembles in perfect harmony. The band ended the first half with  music by Borodin in his colourful 'Polovtsiennes Dances' .
 
The second half opened with 'The Hallelujah Chorus'  from the 'Messiah' and the power that the choral generated was stunning, with the band giving sensitive accompaniment . The band then gave us three pieces, 'Czardas',  'Adagio for Strings' and finally 'The March from the 6th Symphony by Tchaikovsky'. All three pieces were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and showed a band at ease and on good solid form.
 
The Choral Society began their solo items with 'The King Shall Rejoice' by Handel followed by 'Cantique du Jean Racine' by Faure finishing with the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' arranged by Steffe. All three provided a finely balanced counterpoint to the band.
 
The finale for the band and choir was an arrangement by Mark Bentham of 'In Trutina'; 'Ave Formosossima'; 'O Fortuna' from 'Carmina Burana' featuring some superb tenor horn playing by Rebecca Landon in the first movement and some wonderful ensemble playing even at the end of a taxing programme.
 
'The Lost Chord' brought the evening to an emotional climax bringing a tear to many and a standing ovation was much deserved for both band and choir and organist.
 
The band is certainly proud of its 125 year history and to celebrate this with the towns own great choral society, The Huddersfield Choral Society was a tribute to the musical talent of both ensembles.
 
David Tinker

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