Review of concert on Sunday 24th February, Boarshurst Bandroom
BOARSHURST SUNDAY BRASS NEW SEASON OFF TO A SCINTILATING START!!
The Glossop Old Band served up a most enjoyable programme of music on Sunday 24th February at Boarshurst Band Club in Greenfield.
Conducted by former Fairey bass trombone player, Jim Cant, the band opened their concert with the march Castle Caerphilly by T.J. Powell.
This was followed by a thrilling performance of the overture “The Impresario” by Domenico Cimarosa, arr. Dennis Wright.
Principal cornettist David Richardson then played a beautiful rendition of the song “Dearest of All”. Great playing from a real expert.
Off we went to Spain next with “Night Flight To Madrid”. This piece really captured the atmosphere and the audience loved it!
Stuart Wilkinson on principal horn came to the front of the band for our next solo of the evening. He played the classic solo “Silver Threads Amongst The Gold”. Stuarts sound and technique were superb! Well played!
Absent baritone player Wendy McMylor is currently recovering from a fall and bump on the head, and tonight the band dedicated the next piece to Wendy; from the Phantom of the Opera, the beautiful song “Think of Me”. Beautifully played from the heart. Get well soon Wendy.
To complete the first half the band played Goff Richards cleverly woven selection from Americam musical theatre in “Breezin’ Down Broadway”. Fabulous!!
Following a well earned break, and a good old chat with friends at Boarshurst, the Glossop Old Band returned to their seats and opened the second half with a superb arrangement of George Gershwins “Strike Up The Band”.
This band certainly do not take their foot off the gas in providing great and exciting music to their audience as they performed yet another great overture in “Tantalasqualen” by Suppe. The playing was top notch and the bands soprano cornettist, Mandy Crowther played with such a beautiful tone. Very classy! Well played in every department!
The third soloist of the evening was the fabulous flugel horn voice of Janet Lewis. She chose to play ‘My Ain’ Folk’ by Laura Lemon. This is just how a flugel horn should sound. Just beautiful – and what a well controlled long long last note. Thanks Janet.
The next piece was dear to Jim Cant. Being a Scotsman ‘born and bred’ (although having no trace whatsoever of ‘scottishness’ in his voice), Jim chose “Alloway Tales” by Peter Graham. We heard this at Boarshurst late last year when the Fairey Band performed as part of the conducting seminar organised by Russell Gray. On that occasion the band were conducted by Scotsman Stuart Black.
The incredibly successful stage musical Les Miserables has now become a cinema ‘box-office hit’, and tonight we were treated to one of the better known songs from the show, “I Dreamed A Dream”, arranged by Darrol Barry. Some lovely playing and real dynamic control.
Sunday concerts, or indeed any brass band concert, would be incomplete without a hymn tune. Tonight we were treated to a fabulous arrangement by Salvation Army composer and arranger William Himes of “Amazing Grace”. Simply beautiful.
As I mentioned earlier, this band keep on going right to the end without regard for ‘fuel consumption’. We were treated to the classic finale in Gounod’s “Finale from Faust”. Breathtaking music and fabulous playing from this group of excellent musicians.
As promised, Jim Cant returned to conduct the band in an enjoyable encore with “Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines”.
The Boarshurst Band Club would like to congratulate the Glossop Old Band on their fabulous performance tonight. Thanks to Jim Cant for his super choice of music and for his ‘dry wit’. The audience loved every moment. We look forward to welcoming you back on 20th October.
