A Fanfare of Bells - Hermann Pallhuber

Great to see such a packed out hall for the first major band performance in this years Festival of Brass, and Foden’s open with good dynamic contrast from all across the band throughout the fast paced first section, and basses create a very good sound in the transition into the soloists section, with nice sounds from euph and solo cornet. Mellow sound of the band bring theme through nicely as band pick up pace again, and bring the piece to a strong close. 

The Green Chapel - Claire Cope (Bones Apart Quartet)

Atmospheric percussion is very effective along with full muted band as the trombs enter. Effect use of dissonances and harmonies throughout this really have you on your toes throughout the first movement. 

Movement 2 opens with just the trombs and thy work well as a team together before tutti band rejoins, and has a canon effect on what the trombs have just played throughout. 

Movement 3 picks up intensely again and basses sit just nicely underneath this. All Tromb soloists have such a strong sound that comes across very well, and there is good tone contrast throughout this, before a quiet finish. Well done. 

Tranquil Abiding - Paul Mealor

Warm middle band to open the piece in this hymn like movement, basses really glue together in this, and some nice cornet and euph duets throughout, and later the use of shhh mites underneath the cornet solo really pushed the band to their limits. 

Movement 2 opens with loud moments from all across the band, but tutti band comes together well in some places, and perc team drive. Horns are tight push the band forward for tutti moments. 

Third movement opens with a nice full band sound and expansive perc, and balance is nice across the band, and themes get passed over well. Nice flugel feature work tuned perc before passing back over to PC, before a very quiet close. 

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“Prelude and Courtly Dances” from Gloriana - arr. Paul Hindmarsh

Back row and trombs works well together to

Open the second half of the concert, and band is tidy all together throughout this, specially the horns; Perc is clean throughout this and close the first movement nicely. Trombs create a strong sound in the second movement, and there are good dynamic fluctuations throughout. 

Middle and lower band have a strong sound opening the third movement, and the double flugels create good sounds working together. Good cornet section in the passed around themes, particularly sop. Nice flugel and horn moments in this when it slows down a little, and the band works hard for stylistic changes throughout. Lots of good Tromb sound throughout this too. 

Variations on a Shining River - arr. Phillip Littlemore

Cornets open the main original theme here very stylishly, and cornets and Euphs again contrast eachother very well. Tromb opens the next variation really nicely, and all of the variation transitions are smooth and work well, and the lament variation passes around the solos really nicely, and it’s nice to hear this new arrangement. 

Partita - Phillip Sparke

Basses open well before the moving quavers are passed around the band, and basses keep a consistent drive in this. Horn section are very clean, and create a great sound. All sections when featured make fab sounds, particularly trombones. Muted band is extremely tight and played together, and closes the first movement well. Cornet solo opens the second movement with style, and creates a lovely sound in the hall. Back row and Trombs really shine here again as the band builds on itself, nice work euph and cornet. A faster approach to the third movement, but is still played stylishly, well done solo cornet and soloists, euphs are good here as well. Some strong sounds from the trombs, sop sits nicely on. More tutti sections bring out classy full band sound, and they bring the night to a good close. Well done.