RCM Zone One Brass Band

Conductor: Paul Archibald
All Saints Church
Oystermouth
Swansea
Wednesday 25th June

The RCM Zone One Brass Band's brief summer tour to sunny Swansea was a resounding success. Leaving London at 0630 hours on Wednesday 25 June 2008, the band travelled the length of the M4 motorway to appear at the prestigious lunchtime Recital Series held annually during the Summer months at All Saints' Church, Oystermouth, Swansea.  

This was the first time that a fully fledged brass band had been invited to appear at this classical music series at a venue situated just a stone's throw from the picturesque Mumbles coastline.  

In previous years, the organizers had been content to programme only brass ensembles or soloists amongst the plethora of classical keyboards, strings, woodwind and voices that was the normal fare for this twelve week recital series-so the band was certainly breaking fresh ground!

Lunchtime recital:

As the church clock struck the single hour, M.D. Paul Archibald strode to  the podium and the church filled with the fanfare like opening bars of Peter Graham's - Summon the Dragon.  Immediately, the audience became aware of rich and resilient well controlled sounds - an appropriate aperitif for the remainder of the lunchtime offering from the band. 

The peace and tranquillity of Jan van der Roost's splendid Canterbury Chorale was a meaningful contrast in tone colour, with the sonority of the band's Bass section (including pedalling), providing a firm foundation for an effectively balanced builds to the centrepiece of this programme.

Paul Archibald, the well established trumpet soloist and Professor of Trumpet at the Royal College of Music(RCM) London, outlined to the audience the contribution of composer Philip Sparke to the contemporary repertoire of the
brass band making reference to the virtuosic playing required from the players in Philip's-Music from Battle Creek. Secure and well shaped playing was evident throughout this commendable performance of the 2007 RAH National Finals test piece. The main soloists-cornet, baritone and trombone coped admirably with the challenges of this demanding music. 

Euphonium soloist - Chris Gomersall, drew inspiration from the extended melody in the slow movement where his phrasing and warm tone colour really impressed. The dynamic climax of this movement was not really fulfilled, due probably to a lack of dynamic contrast in the preceding quieter phrases.

The unhelpful acoustics in the church did little to aid the detail of this score to emerge as clearly as one would have hoped for. 

In sharp contrast, in terms of clarity of ensemble, the antiphonal placing of small brass groups to perform Giovanni Gabrielli's, well worn - Canzon Pian’e forte (edited, Philip Jones), successfully deferred to the acoustic of the venue, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of this "yellow" music; it's appeal and continuing popularity, but above all else, the substantial musical challenge it poses to performers. 

Freaks

The final contribution by the band – Freaks by Gavin Higgins, gave trombone soloist - Jon Stokes a superb opportunity to demonstrate his musicianship and technical dexterity. Jon did not disappoint!

In a presentation full of flair and panache, the soloist was at ease throughout the range and stylistic changes of this impressive music.  Snatches of Gershwinesque, Eastern European and Middle Eastern idioms were evident in this music, complete with a Fucik reference.  The composer-Gavin Higgins, a Graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music who is continuing his studies at the RCM, London, was first exposed to brass band sounds in his native Forest of Dean He is also Solo Horn in the Zone One Band, but only until 30th June, when he travels to Sydney NSW for a six month’s secondment as part of his studies. 

The leading bands in the Antipodes will be wise to make contact with this talented young composer; (I understand that his solo - Freaks, is to be featured by Lisa Savaroni at the forthcoming Trombone Festival in Bury Lancs. on the 19th July. The audience are in for a special treat!).

Encore

For the inevitable encore, M.D Paul Archibald vacated the rostrum and allowed the band to revel in Barrie Gott's Lightwalk.  This performance had rhythmic bounce in abundance, the" Kit Drummer" displaying relaxed control
in true big band style!  

His "Break" was classic in style, an aspect that is all too often absent in performances of this genre of music, by brass bands’ kit players.  Indeed, during the entire programme the percussion and tympani playing had been exemplary-always effectively balanced- a sheer delight to behold.

The lunchtime audience, many of whom were wary in selecting where to sit as they entered the church - not too near to the band and I quote: "because brass bands blow loud, you know", left the church having been highly impressed by the quality of the musicianship displayed by the band and the skill of M.D.Paul Archibald in selecting such a well balanced programme.

Success

Yes! Breaking new ground had been successful – Congratulations, Zone One Brass Band.

With a few hours to reflect upon this enjoyable recital before the start of the band's evening concert, there was time for a stroll in the sunshine along the Mumbles promenade and a leisurely afternoon tea and ice cream at
Verdi's Ristorante - the "in-place”, situated on the shoreline, just right for watching the receding tide lap gently against the sea-wall. 

A short car journey took me seven miles to Llansamlet in North Swansea on the edge of the former industrial heartland of the city.  
 
C Brian Buckley

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