Foden’s visited St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich to perform as the star attraction of the East Anglian Brass Band Association’s 75th annual Gala Concert.
Appropriate
Under the baton of Michael Fowles the ‘Double’ winners started in appropriate fashion with ‘The Champions’ march; the magnificent National Trophy and Open Shield proudly displayed on the stage with them
Rossini’s overture ‘L’Italiana in Algeri’, which the conductor described as one of those forgotten pieces of music on ‘yellow paper’ was dusted off in stylish manner, before principal baritone Natsumi McDonald gave a powerful rendition of ‘Film’, composed by Andy Stott, Foden’s Composer in Residence.
Versatility
The versatility of the band was shown to great effect with Peter Meechan’s arrangement of Chick Corea’s ‘Spain’, before Helen Williams gave a sublime rendition of the evocative flugel solo ‘Domen’.
Peter Meechan’s ‘The Legend of King Arthur’ rounded off a thrilling first half as Foden’s gave a wonderful performance portraying all the different moods of the music with ease.
Verve
‘Masque’ by Kenneth Hesketh opened the second half with verve and vitality, before the audience was treated to a stylish tenor horn solo ‘Bel Canto’ played with nuanced artistry by Lesley Poole.
Heaton’s ‘Victory for Me’ was a nice counterpoint on which to segue into Glyn Williams on rousing form with Philip Sparke’s ‘Pantomime’.
Controlled
Contrast followed with Turrin’s ‘Hymn for Diana’ - a model of controlled lyricism, before a highly enjoyable Howard Snell arrangement of Elgar’s ‘Wild Bears’ – played with delicious precision.
Sandy Smith’s ‘Liszteria’ featuring the talents of percussionists, Mark Landon and Anthony Mann, turned out to be a real showstopper before Foden’s flexed their muscles with the ‘Bacchanale’ from Snell’s masterful arrangement of Ravel’s ‘Daphnis and Chloe’.
Fitting end
It was fitting end to concert that saw the Double Champions on superb form.
The encore of Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’ arranged by Ray Farr sent the audience home well satisfied with their evening’s entertainment.
Christine Wade
