Concert: Tubular Brass - RNCM

It was never going to be a normal concert. Five nights after the horrific attack on concertgoers at Manchester Arena, the Tubular Brass tour came to the RNCM in a shout of defiance towards those who would make us afraid to go out. Of course Monday's events were on everybody's mind and the concert started with an unscheduled hymn tune. Arranged by Andi Cook, this beautifully crafted and played setting of Manchester brought a lump to every throat. All profits from the sale of the arrangement will go to the victims’ fund, so I would urge every band to buy a set.

The scheduled programme resumed with Mary Casio, a groundbreaking seven-movement work for band, analogue synthesisers, electronics and voice by, and featuring, Irish singer and composer - Hannah Peel. Mary Casio describes the imaginary astronomical journey of a character loosely based on Peel's grandmother. The result is breathtaking and reminiscent of some of the finest electronic music of recent decades, from Tangerine Dream to Jonty Harrison. Electronics and band were integrated superbly, and the accompanying video projection reflecting Peel's combined interest in music and neuroscience made the whole experience an ethereal, haunting and deeply satisfying one.

The second half of the concert was taken up by Sandy Smith's remarkable transcription of Mike Oldfield's seminal Tubular Bells. This has been a five-year labour of love for Sandy and the years have paid off. Fans of the original need not worry that its compelling variety of timbre and effect have been lost - the transcription is imaginative, detailed and very well crafted. Like Mary Casio, the performance was accompanied by an abstract video projection that complemented the music brilliantly.

It's a very demanding evening for the players though - even this all-star band must have found it stamina-sapping. Special mention should be made of the immense shift put in by the two soprano players, Rob Westacott and Martin Britt, the sublime flugel horn solo from Alex Kenyon and a brief guest narration from MC, Richard Evans! The immediate unanimous standing ovation at the end of the performance said it all - an innovative, refreshing and exciting new avenue for brass band music.

ANDREW BAKER

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