The brass players of the RAF Central Band gave their first public concert in 18 months as part of the ‘Brass on the Patio’ series at Charlton House. 

The substantial audience, many of whom had brought chairs and blankets to sit on the grass, enjoyed a varied programme for quintet, septet and decet, under the direction of Sergeant Tim Hynd.

It opened with Pitoni's lively  'Cantate Domino', with tambourine and field drum contributing their distinctive sound to the Baroque music.

Bright piccolo

It was the final concert for principal trumpet Cpl Ben Godfrey, before moving to the RAF College Band with the rank of Sergeant. He was joined by Senior Aircraftsman Jack Wilson in Vivaldi's  'Concerto for Double Trumpet'. 

Although the soloists stood at rear, the bright piccolo trumpet tones rang out clearly above the sympathetic accompaniment.

Although the soloists stood at rear, the bright piccolo trumpet tones rang out clearly above the sympathetic accompaniment.

Excerpts from Faure's  'Requiem', arranged by the conductor followed. The familiar music of the  'Agnus Dei'  and  'In Paradisum'  transcribed effectively, although the French horn could have done with a little support in some of the arpeggios.

Kevin McKee's  'Escape'  was vibrant and cinematic in style for the quintet; testing the technique of the players to the full, featuring each in turn. Canadian Brass's  'Glory, Look Away', opening with  'Glory, Glory Hallelujah'  in slow, relaxed New Orleans style segued into an up-tempo version of Dixie, making good use of the piccolo trumpet.

Striking

The septet was a little more restrained with Chris Richards' take on  'Oh When the Saints'  before what was perhaps the most striking programme item:  'A Quiet Place'  from the repertoire of the vocal group 'Take 6' displayed some beautifully controlled playing, full of subtlety.

Borodin's  'Polovtsian Dances'  provided the finale; romantic melodies interspersed with almost primitive sections, giving the opportunity for some lovely lyrical playing.

Gottschalk's  'Tournament Galop'  was a waspish encore.

Peter Bale