A Friday afternoon in early March, and in need of something to enliven and energise the soul, I found myself at The Martin Harris Centre in the midst of the university complex n Manchester. The University Brass Band were to give a short one-hour concert, and it might well have been the soul-food I was in need of.
The concert started however with something a little different, with two pieces performed by guests, The RNCM Tenor Horn Quartet. They played an arrangement of J S Bach's Fugue in G Minor, and followed this with a piece of 20th century writing (written in 1974) by Goff Richards; his Horn Quartet. The RNCM students impressed, and despite it not being a brass band, was a lovely start to this concert.
Next came The Buckley Brass Quintet, made up of MUMS students this time, but still not a full band yet...! However, they entertained with the second movement of Ewald's Second Brass Quintet.
...and now to the full band! The majority of this set was conducted by the brass band's usual conductor, and he was superb. Very easy to follow, his style was controlling, sympathetic, and clear. Their programme started with 'Duel Of The Fates' from 'The Phantom Menace' by John Williams, which, if anyone was feeling a little soporific after the quintet, were brought wide awake with this and begging for more. They followed this with a beautiful transcription of Dvorak's 'Song To The Moon' from 'Rusalka'. This featured one band member (name unknown) who played a trumpet solo. Just lovely!
We were brought back wide awake once again with their next choice. 'Mars' from 'The Planets' by Gustav Holst. Again, not something that one would normally hear from a Brass Band, but this was all the more thrilling and ominous when played with euphoniums and no strings! A hugely challenging piece though, and kudos to the society and conductor for choosing such a piece.
For the final two works in this afternoon's concert, the baton was passed to the band's assistant conductor, who, up until now, had been quite at home on the timpani. We heard the beautifully lyrical piece entitled simply, 'Manchester' by Richard Wainwright; written in response to the Manchester Arena Bombing, but a hymn to Manchester in general. And of course, we had to have a showpiece to finish, and for this, they chose 'Valero' by James Swearingham. Fast, showy, Cuban-style rhythms, and a great piece to ensure we went away with a smile on our faces and tapping our feet!
One thing I would advise for future concerts however is that if there are to be onstage announcements giving programme information etc; then either a mic or vocal projection is needed, and the announcers need to face the audience when speaking please! Otherwise, like this afternoon, we are at a complete loss!
Great music, and a very enjoyable concert.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 3.3.23
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