Grimethorpe Colliery Band in concert
St. David's Hall, Cardiff24th January 2016
Well respected conductor, adjudicator, examiner and former cornetist, Brian Buckley, reviews a 'breath-taking' concert given by the British Open Champions, Grimethorpe Colliery, conducted by Robert Childs at St David's Hall, Cardiff.
Le Corsair (Berlioz) remains a wholly independent concert overture where the Band's scoring is remarkable for its persistent verve and sea-like rapidly scalic fortissimo passages, interspersed with placid, serene sequences that were so brilliantly executed within the Band's superb sound quality. Wow - what a stunning opener!
Not surprisingly, the initial soloist - Dr. Roger Webster (cornet) reveled in the flamboyant mannerisms of the stunning Mexican trumpeter - Rafael Mendez, displaying the virtuosic Hejre Kati (Hubay). In sharp contrast, reflectively and eloquently calm music from the pen of the emerging young composer - Ben Hollings, displayed total control by the entire ensemble in the pseudo-elegiac - The Spirit Within - with warm reverence directed by the Band's Director of Music - Dr. Robert Childs. I am certain that much more of Hollings' fulsome music will be realised in the future.
Not surprisingly, items from the film - Brassed Off - were featured with the well-used march - Death of Glory (R B Hall); played with much aplomb, swagger and well established contrasting sound levels. The Irish Tune from County Derry (Grainger) and the Clog Dance (Marcangelo) were thoroughly enjoyable, as was the impressive cornet playing of Roger Webster and his colleagues displayed in the Finale from William Tell. Before a well-earned interval, Alan Catherall's pleasing arrangement of Jim Webb's McArthur Park was excitingly played, with the stratospheric and superlative soprano cornet performance of Kevin Crockford in the closing bars ensuring a first half standing ovation from the entire audience! It was very obvious that the Band really enjoyed the superb acoustic of St. David's Hall.
Opening the second half of this concert, Goff Richard's highly charged arrangement of Let's Face the Music and Dance (I Berlin) again captured both the band and audience. The penultimate soloist - Michael Cavanagh (Solo Baritone) played with great simplicity the traditional music of Carrickfergus (arr. S Roberts). Michael's phrasing and total control was a sheer delight, with the direction and accompaniment of the ensemble always at the highest level. A series of musical textures and various moods were well portrayed in: Mid all the Traffic (arr.Ballantine); the Australian light composer's Shepherd's Hey (Grainger), and Elegy from A Downland Suite (Ireland).
Then to feature the Band's Euphonium soloist - Michael Dodd in the brass player's 'piece de resistance' - The Carnival of Venice (Remington). As expected, Michael's musical and technical playing was at the highest level. Indeed, his solo contribution (and the accompaniment of the ensemble) closely compares with many of the star solo performers who regularly grace the soloist's podium in the St. David’s Hall (Cardiff) spotlight.
The finale to the concert was breath-taking - the immense Wagnerian Procession to the Minster. The balance of music and performance throughout the entire programme was superb. The playing was devoid of coarse edges within the entire ensemble. The MD - Dr. Robert Childs displayed precise direction and obvious control throughout. It was a delight to note that the entire audience remained on their feet clamoring for more (and more!!), but a single encore of W.Hogarth Lear's joyful Pell Mell just had to satisfy all concerned as the daylight slipped away!
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