Conductor: Paul Holland
British Bandsman Concert Series
Reading Town Hall
Saturday 28th September

Following their success at the British Open, a supremely confident Flowers Band showcased their concert talents ahead of what was to be (although no one knew it at the time) an even more memorable performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The appropriately entitled ‘Euroflash’  (given their runner-up finish in Birmingham also secured a place at the European Championships in 2026 in Linz) set the high quality tone and approach – one further embossed with their first soloist, Paul Richards.

His rendition of the James Bond film theme ‘Live and Let Die’  brought to mind another 007 song title of ‘Nobody does it better…’

Spy influences

The cartoon spy influences and 1960s feel were also noticeable in ‘The Incredibles’,  with it stabbing effects and cool cup muted trombones, whilst also giving the quartet of talented percussionists a chance to shine.

Luke Barker’s beautiful cornet tone brought contrast in the ‘Meditation’  from Massenet’s ballet ‘Thais’.  The maturity of his performance was echoed further in his contribution to what was to be a commanding sneak preview of the National Final test-piece, ‘Harrison’s Dream’. 

The maturity of his performance was echoed further in his contribution to what was to be a commanding sneak preview of the National Final test-piece, ‘Harrison’s Dream’. 

The evocative work showed off every section of the band with its exciting driven tutti sections and, at times, eerily sparse orchestration that used every imaginable bell sound available to signify the demise of the lost souls at sea. 

Virtuosity

A short, sharp opener, ‘Into The Sky’  by Stephen Bulla kicked off the second half with a display of virtuosity and technical fireworks, before the haunting Irish air ‘Magh Seola’  was beautifully shaped by flugel player, Lauren Chinn and aided by the touching accompaniment.  

‘Amparito Roca’  was fun but a little bit of a throwaway, although Philip Harper’s ‘The Reckless Engineer’,  commissioned and performed by Dan Thomas was, despite the title, anything but. 

The story of Isambard Kingdom Brunel was constructed with the same ingenuity of form and function as one of the great Victorian’s ships or bridges – a formidable test of a playing talent who rose to the occasion with staggering aplomb. 

The story of Isambard Kingdom Brunel was constructed with the same ingenuity of form and function as one of the great Victorian’s ships or bridges – a formidable test of a playing talent who rose to the occasion with staggering aplomb. 

For many though the highlight was ‘Hymn for Diana’  by Joseph Turin, played with a vast range of sonority and dynamic contrast – the phrasing moving as one with the MD. 

Great fun

Alan Fernie’s upbeat ‘ABBA Goes Brass’  score, with every famous song flying by in a flash of ear-worm brilliance was great fun - although calling it ‘seven minutes of unadulterated cheese’ seemed a little harsh. 

The finale of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Fourth Symphony’  brought things to an orchestral inspired close, although the nuances of the original were lost in the arrangement. As a technical experience it was splendidly played, but musically it left you somewhat puzzled. 

Ray Farr’s arrangement of Bach’s ‘Toccata in D minor’  was the encore treat that brought the house down on an excellent and very entertaining evening.

Fiona Bennett and John Heritage