Top brass celebration

Peter Bassano, Elgar Howarth, John Wallace and the City of Cambridge Brass Band are set to present a concert tracing the development of the British Brass Band, its instruments, composers and music from its humble origins as working class entertainment to a sophisticated culture attracting many of Europe’s leading composers to write for it.

Billed as Top Brass, and taking place at Girton College, Cambridge on 30 April, the programme simultaneously tracks the careers of two musicians who have risen from modest beginnings in the town band to pre-eminence as professional musicians with acclaimed international reputations.

Elgar Howarth will feature as guest conductor, directing his own composition In Memoriam RK, whilst John Wallace will appear as guest soloist performing Alexander Owen’s Mermaid’s Song and John Hartmann’s Pretty Jane.

Hector Berlioz’s Overture le Corsaire and John McCabe’s Cloudcatcher Fells will also feature in an eclectic programme presented by the City of Cambridge Band and its Music Director, Peter Bassano, who commented: “Cloudcatcher Fells, along with In Memoriam R.K. remain two of my favourite works for brass band. Although I am frustrated and occasionally angered by many aspects of the musical policies of some brass bands, the medium itself has developed into a virtuoso and potentially expressive musical idiom with exponential possibilities for emotional effectiveness. For me, these two important and individual works represent the denouement in the ascent of brass to the top of spiritual creativity.”

An evening not to be missed!

Photo: Peter Bassano - City of Cambridge Band Music Director

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