The reigning Midland Area Champion, Virtuosi GUS, paid a welcome visit to Norwich to perform at the East Anglian Brass Band Association’s 76th Annual Gala Concert. 

Fine form

Under the guidance of MD Adam Cooke they were on fine form throughout, starting off with the sprightly march ‘Emmaneff’ by T. J. Powell followed by Ray Farr’s arrangement of excerpts from Stravinsky’s ‘The Firebird’.

Guest soloist Nick Walkely entertained the audience with some beautiful playing of Ray Farr’s arrangement of the ‘Adagio’ from Rachmaninoff’s ‘Symphony No 2’, before the band gave a sublime rendition of ‘Love Divine’ by Howard Goodall arranged by Andrew Wainwright.

Stark

The rhythmic pulse of ‘Backlash’ by Simon Dobson was a stark and enjoyable contrast before Thomas Fountain showed his quality with Chuck Mangione’s ‘Children of Sanchez’ - producing a colourful balance between lyricism and fireworks.

To end the first half, the 1st and 3rd movements of Peter Graham’s ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ proved to be a terrific choice - bold and breathtaking.

Skunk Funk

‘Some Skunk Funk’ by Randy Brecker arranged by Jacob Vilhelm Larsen was a surprise opener to the second half proceedings, emphasising the innovative approach the band engaged throughout the evening, whilst Bernstein’s ‘Overture’ to ‘Candide’ arranged by Howard Snell was another welcome inclusion.

Principal euphonium David Daws delivered a superb rendition of, ‘A Better World’  before the band reprised part of their Shakespearian themed 2013 Brass in Concert programme.

Shakespearian

‘Mambo’ from ‘West Side Story’ segued into the ‘Waltz’ from Act lll of ‘Macbeth’ by Verdi, before trombone star Chris Jean’s liquidly glided through ‘So in Love’ by Cole Porter - complete with soloist casually walking through the audience.

Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’ led into Peter Meechan’s ‘Lament from Macbeth’ before the big band arrangement of ‘Greensleeves’ brought things to a stunning close. 

The warm and appreciative applause spoke volumes for a band and soloists on top form, with a programme that showed invention, innovation and a great deal of class.

The encore of the ‘Galop’ from the ‘Masquerade Suite’ by Khachaturian was a perfect fizzy send off to a very enjoyable concert.

Christine Wade