A programme would have helped a great deal here, since all the pieces were new to me, and there was one World Premiere performance in the mix. Moreover, there were 4 conductors too and so have no idea who they were either.
5 pieces were performed in all, and the orchestra was made up of majority students from the RNCM, but playing alongside professional musicians from many other well known orchestras. This is part of the RNCM's 'Side By Side' initiative, enabling their students the opportunity to work and perform with working professionals in order to gain more insight into this precarious profession. There were I believe 11 guest soloists amongst the wind band this evening.
The concert started with 'Danceries' by Kenneth Hesketh. In 4 movements this is an ancient and modern crossover piece inasmuch as the old dance styles have been updated and modernised for this composition. This is particularly apparent in the first movement, whilst both the second and final movements felt much more cinematic and thought they belonged in a Hollywood movie, whilst the third movement was obviously taking inspiration from from the Arabian subcontinent. This was followed by Luis Serranio Alarcon's 'Duende', which again was in 4 movements. Here though rather than taking inspiration from the Moors, it was to Spain and their cultural music heritage, as the four movements were liberally peppered with everything from the modern Spanish pop influence to the traditional flamencos. The orchestra here was augmented with bongos, sound box, electric guitar, piano and harp, and the whole was flamboyant, and a huge whirlwind of a composition.
After the interval we returned to hear John Castigliano's 'Gazebo Dances'. Once again in four movements, the conducting here being shared by two members of the Royal Marines who had been seconded to the RNCM to learn conducting. The piece ended with a flashy tarantella. Next came the aforementioned World Premiere piece, composed by RNCM student Florencio You, who was in attendance to tell us a little about his composition, which in his own words, is something of a personal joke; titled, 'You's Linger', he explains that this could mean that he himself is deciding to stay at the RNCM next year, or not, or indeed it could be that the You refers to the reader, and whether or not they want to linger to listen to his music, or not. Using four soloists (piano, double bass, saxophone and flute) as well as a small ensemble, this was well played and sturdily conducted by a student conductor.
The concert ended with - most definitely saving the best until last - Adam Gorb's 'Yiddish Dances'. Here the band explores the Jewish musical culture (klezmer), with glee. These dances are joyous, fun, melodic, and just lovely. I wanted to get out of my seat, place a bottle on my head and start dancing on my knees...! L'chaim!
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu
on - 13.6.25
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