MUSIC REVIEW: A Day Of Percussion - The RNCM, Manchester.

The RNCM in Manchester holds annual events where a whole day is dedicated to one section of the orchestra. Today, Sunday 5th February, was dedicated to percussion, and the school had organised a day full of seminars, workshops, and performances from an international list of renowned practitioners in their individual fields. To make this a little more special, it was the 30th anniversary this year of the Percussion Day, and so the RNCM had invited more professionals to give masterclasses than perhaps there would normally have been.

Throughout the day there were 6 50-minute 'clinics' in either the theatre or the concert hall, given by these world-renowned percussionists. Paul Patrick (principal percussionist for the BBC Philharmonic), Jim Kilpatrick (pipe band snare drum), Eric Sammut (marimba), Dave Hassell, Chris Manus, and Andy Scott (drum kit, bongos, saxophone), Victor Mendoza (vibraphone), and Ash Soan (session drummer).

In the middle of all of this, and half-way through the day, the RNCM Mallet Ensemble performed a 15- minute set in the foyer outside the Carole Nash Recital Room. The ensemble played several pieces in differing configurations, but all xylophone and glockenspiel types were featured. 

The day culminated in an hour-long performance in the concert hall, during which all of the day's artistes performed for us. The concert would have been very interesting even without having attended the whole day of talks; but having heard them previously then it made their performances in the evening all the more interesting as one had some background to their style and artistry.

The evening concert started with The BackBeat Percussion Quartet playing African bongo drums in a piece composed by tutor Damian Harron, 'Okavango'. An upbeat and fitting start to the concert. Next was Paul Patrick, and he chose a lovely piece of ragtime composed by Harry Breuer, 'A Bit Of Rhythm'. Patrick played the solo xylophone part, whilst being accompanied by members of the RNCM Percussion Ensemble. A superb jazz piece which lifted the spirits and I didn't want it to end! This was followed by members of the Junior RNCM who performed 'Fancy Four', a piece for 7 drums. Eric Sammut followed this with a solo marimba piece, "La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee" from Bizet's Carmen arranged by Sammut. Hauntingly beautiful, and superbly played. Impro jazz followed next with the trio that was Dave Hassell, Chris Manus, and Andy Scott. This was followed by Jim Kilpatrick and Rachel Thom on military snare drums, as thy showed us how to play a drum fanfare with aplomb. Watching Kilpatrick's technique was simply mesmerising. To end the concert, we returned to the world of jazz, and Victor Mendoza showed us just exactly why he is a world leader in vibraphone playing with two of self-penned works, 'Ofrenda' and 'Cafe Quemado'. He was joined on stage by Jamanda Roberts (piano), Robert Palmer-Fenny (bass guitar), Ash Soan (drum kit) and Dave Hassell filling in with the Latin percussive sounds.

The 'party' continued after this concert with the RNCM AfroCuban Jazz Group performing in the Cafe area for approximately one hour. Again their style was a mix of freestyle modern jazz and contemporary Big Band sound. 

Reviewer - Matthew Dougal
on - 5.2.23