Stamford Brass (Conductor: Julian Bright) -

Band Number 9. 

Stamford Brass (Julian Bright) - Purcell Variations 

A familiar piece for me as the parts were used for my Technical exam so I am looking forward to hearing this piece. 

I like the opening and dynamic contrast is on show here. Bass tune is very executed. Crescendo builds nicely with some lovely low brass notes to support. 

Lovely expansion into a lovely rich sound before coming back with just as much style. Flugel solo is played well, nice style. Some minor intonation issues here and there but nothing major whatsoever. Nice Tenor Horn and Flugel link up. Faster section works well a few bits that could be slightly tighter but an overall good opening to this section. Chromatic runs are effective, and Trombones create a lovely sound here. Solo Horn starts off beautifully and is joined nicely by the First Horn. Bravo both. Great effort from the Sop in a difficult range. 

Rall is effective before the Solo Horn once again leads the melody off and the duet once again is lovely and balanced. A lovely controlled ending to this section. Kit player kicks off the fast section, which is upheld well by the Euphs. The theme flows around the band is well played and stylistically accurate. Bravo MD. Shoutout to the tuned percussionist who is running around playing multiple parts. Bravo. 

Some more classy euph playing follows pushing the tempo and dynamic. Even faster now yet the band is still controlled. A few slips here and there but a good section. 

PC kicks the next section off with a lovely lyrical solo that is playing very well, a lovely tone on display. Bravo. 

Accompaniment is well balanced letting the soloist sit easily on top. Crescendo building now leading to a lovely peak. Flugel once again plays the solo very well. The melody is being beautiful displayed by the band with elegance. A couple intonation difficulties at points across the band but nothing that detracts from the lovely playing. Solo Trombone finishes the phrase off beautifully before it passes to another part of the band. 

Some classy Rep playing to lead us to the end of this movement. Great sound at the start of this next movement. A real bounce in the rhythm and once again some low brass notes that come through really well. Lovely expansion into the final tune, a few hiccups when we get here but nothing that distracts a listener. Really ramping up for a big ending now the band is still fully in control of the sound. A beautiful final chord rings out. 

Lovely piece and very well played thank you.

~ Sam E.