The Youth Brass Band of Upper Austria continued its UK tour with this excellent concert at the RNCM in Manchester with hosts and current North West Area champion, Fairey.
An appreciative audience was thoroughly entertained for their endeavour in making it to the event through torrential rain, with the Austrians in tip top form and the local favourites warming up nicely ahead of the forthcoming British Open.
Maturity
With an average age of nineteen and having auditioned to make the tour party, Karl Geroldinger's fine young players showed remarkable maturity right from the opening notes of the overture, 'Die Fledermaus', played with graceful style and dynamic control.
The ensemble was equally at home with Thomas Doss's Bruckner inspired 'Toccata Fantasia' which paved the way for Steven Mead to take centre stage in 'The Water is Wide' and Peter Graham's arrangement of Lloyd Webber's Paganini inspired 'Variations'.
Beautiful
Bettina Baumschlager was the beautiful cornet lead in the 'The Ashokan Farewell', before Steven returned to be joined by the MD's talented baritone playing son, Felix, in Philip Sparke's 'Two Part Invention' - delivered with a touch of flamboyant sparkle.
To close, the Austrian’s favourite piece of the tour, Alan Fernie's 'Countryside and Common People' was delivered with thumping verve, whilst the encore, Thomas Stevens' 'New Carnival of Venice' with its jazz infused final section, was equally brilliantly polished.
Impressive
Fairey took to the stage in the second half and continued its preparations for the British Open by blowing away any post summer cobwebs with an impressively played programme.
Peter Graham's 'Phoenix' was full of musical vitality, whilst Percy Fletcher's 'Labour & Love' was respectfully delivered thanks to the MDs subtle appreciation of its operatic roots and plenty of cultured solo contributions from around the stand.
10 from Len
Becky Lundberg was in relaxed trombone mood in Hogey Carmichael 'Stardust', with the quartet of Mike Eccles, Paul Bennett, Rob Richardson and Jim Fieldhouse leading the way in 'The Irish Blessing' with a touch of tenderness that never descended into misplaced pathos.
Gavin Saynor certainly enjoyed himself on Roy Newsome's 'Bass in the Ballroom' in a performance that would also have got a ‘10 from Len’ on Strictly Come Dancing, before a more serious competitive focus was certainly displayed by a well worked rendition of Alexander Comitas's 'Vita Aeterna Variations'.
Restraint
Garry Cutt’s engaging interpretation of elegant restraint still had a few bobbly edges to be chamfered off before the big day, but there was more than enough about it to suggest that Fairey could well be a band to watch out for at Symphony Hall.
All that remained was for the two ensembles to be joined by the players who'd participated in the popular workshops earlier in the day to wiz through the march, 'The Melody Shop', show contrast with the emotive, 'A Song for Japan' and close things off with Ron Goodwin's whimsical film theme, 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'.
It rounded of a concert that showcased two impressive bands on fine form - with the Austrian’s providing ample evidence of their future excellence and Fairey giving a substantive glimpse of possible future major contesting success.
Malcolm Wood
