Newbury's light lunch with some top brass
Newbury Spring Festival: Connaught Brass, at the Corn Exchange, on Wednesday, May 11. Review by CLAIRE BARKER
Exciting young quintet Connaught Brass opened their recital with the upbeat and witty Prelude – Rheinlaender by Mogens Andresen. Based on Norwegian dances, melodies were swiftly passed around all the instruments providing a perfect introduction to the ensemble.
A selection of movements from Pulcinella 2.0, Steven Verhelst’s arrangement of music from Stravinsky’s ballet followed. Drawing on the original sources used by Stravinsky, pieces by among others Pergolesi, Gallo and Monza, Verhelst’s skilful writing showed that this combination of brass instruments are perfectly suited to providing the energy and humour of the music. Trumpet players Aaron Akugbo and Harry Plant doubled on piccolo trumpet and flugel respectively, which added to the wide variety of colours displayed by this extremely accomplished ensemble.
Introducing In Bergamo, Peter Longworth’s Opus 1, trombonist Chris Brewster described the piece as a series of musical postcards. This was born out by the incredibly atmospheric writing which completely drew me into Longworth’s world.
Displaying hugely characterful playing which truly evoked the mood of the old town with its lights, students, scooters and bells, it is clear to see why this quintet are the recipients of so many major awards.
Florence Price’s Adoration, in a beautiful arrangement by horn player Robyn Blair provided a change of mood and that stunningly mellow sound that only brass instruments can give.
The programme was brought to a close with excerpts from Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera, arranged by Ian Foster. Full of fun, this piece really allowed the players’ strong individual musical personalities to shine. Particularly impressive throughout was the clarity of Aled Meredith-Barrett’s tuba.
The quality of playing on display was exceptional and the programme perfectly light for a lunchtime concert.
It was lovely to see two groups of children from local primary schools in attendance. I hope some of them will be inspired to take up an instrument or to attend more concerts in the future.
