The reigning British Open, Brass in Concert and 4BR Band of the Year welcomed Grimethorpe Colliery as their musical guests for an evening of 'Massed Band Classics' at Huddersfield Town Hall.
The annual Spring event was led by Prof Garry Cutt who curated what he called a ‘Wagner Sandwich’ filled with tasty traditional ingredients to tickle the taste buds of a large and what was to be, a well-satisfied audience.
The Marple Maestro was on fine form; directing with precision and sympathetic understanding, with the players responding in kind to maintain clarity and balance in a generous acoustic.
Wagnerian crust
The opening Wagnerian crust came with 'Introduction to Act III from Lohengrin’, with Shostakovich's 'Festive Overture' maintaining the bubbling tempo and colour. Gordon Langford’s subtle arrangement of Faure's 'Pavane' gave immediate contrast before the splendid verve of Fucik’s ‘Florentiner March'.
The Marple Maestro was on fine form; directing with precision and sympathetic understanding, with the players responding in kind to maintain clarity and balance in a generous acoustic.
Grimethorpe's Jamie Smith was in fine form with the classic solo 'Charivari', whilst ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’, ‘I'll Walk with God', a sextet of ‘frolicking’ trombones and a pacy ‘William Tell’ brought the first half to a close.
Belly filler
More quality came after the break; the bluff Gallic pomp of 'French Military March', the quirky delights of the Bourgeois 'Serenade' and the elegant foxtrot steps of 'Samun' (dedicated to the late Geoffrey Brand who conducted both bands) led into the restrained emotion of 'Nimrod' and the familiar themes of 'A Sullivan Fantasy' and 'Londonderry Air'.
Chris Robertson sparkled on a new take on 'Carnival of Venice' by Tim Pannell, before the emotive sounds of 'Crimond' offered the last tasty filling before the thick-cut crust belly-filler of 'Procession to the Minster'.
Musical appetites satisfied, there was still just enough room for 'The Waltonian' to nibble on for the journey home.
Malcolm Wood
Image copyright: Gordon Ratcliffe
