Brass band lives up to fine reputation
Fodens Band @ St Andrew's Hall, Norwich
Fodens Band @ St Andrew's Hall, Norwich
By MICHAEL DRAKE
It says a great deal for an ensemble that its conductor will fly from Canada for a concert.
But such is the band's reputation that Bramwell Tovey deserted the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on Sunday evening, returning to his family roots in Norwich to direct a dashing performance by one of Britain's top brass bands.
The East Anglian Brass Band Association's annual Spring Gala Concert once again proved to be a stirring occasion, from the opening Fanfare and Flourishes to an emotional arrangement of Abide With Me. The band's dynamic range was quite outstanding and exemplified in George Lloyd's Diversions on a Base Theme, a literally testing piece in which each section could be identified in the syncopations and instrumental interjections. It was glorious.
Solos too were outstanding – superbly controlled soprano phrases, lightning dexterity on the xylophone when the band had its work cut out to keep up,
Most Read
- 1 Café serving produce fresh from its farm opens in north Norfolk
- 2 Flames grip barn in north Norfolk
- 3 Fewer than half of village's homes occupied by full-time residents
- 4 'Quirky' two-bed cottage in Wymondham on sale for £350k
- 5 Norwich's 'hidden' church added to at risk list
- 6 7 major events to look forward to in Norfolk in July
- 7 West Norfolk town centre road closed following two-vehicle crash
- 8 Parked cars prevent buses from serving north Norfolk village
- 9 'Significant construction' on A47 to begin in 2023
- 10 Need for extension could mean Norwich roadworks continue for longer
trombone nostalgia and the “multi-instrument party piece” illustrates what talented musicians they are. Coincidentally it was 25 years to the day that I wrote my first review which was also of a band, from Norwich Schools. Together with the full house, in the varied programme, I again thrilled to it all and it was perhaps all encapsulated in the “Irish encore” with rhythm, virtuosity, subtlety, and that unique brass band sound.
