Harper Brass Quintet
Memorial Hall, Dereham
Memorial Hall, Dereham
Celebrating their 10th anniversary and the return of the Dereham Festival after a break of more than 20 years, the Harper Brass Quintet descended on the people of Dereham.
The ensemble have an enviable skill - they play with an exacting precision and wonderfully controlled articulation that perfectly suits the music of Gabrieli and Monteverdi.
The interwoven lines of the music were well placed, the group blends well and are sensitive to each passing theme. An arrangement of Tudor music introduced the tuba as a surprisingly lyric solo instrument. A quality often missed, this was a rare treat.
Although containing the same precision and quality of playing Arnold's First Brass Quintet and Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals lacked the life and characterful vibrancy they required.
Bernstein's America from West Side Story was similarly excellently played but seemed to lack slightly the dance-like flair for which it is so well known.
Most Read
- 1 M&S to close 32 stores as part of move away from town centres
- 2 Every household in the UK to get £400 to help with rising energy bills
- 3 Man dies of collapsed lung after 'busy' hospital meant x-ray was missed
- 4 WATCH: 'Unplayable' delivery from Suffolk bowler goes viral
- 5 Where you can see the Red Arrows over Norfolk this weekend
- 6 Farmer says cousin's wedding venue will bring 'criminal activity'
- 7 'It is a cash cow' - vicar's warning after being slapped with parking fine
- 8 Norfolk garden centre wins 27th gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show
- 9 Major road to close for resurfacing works costing £81,000
- 10 Explained: What the cost of living support package means for you
Finishing with Gershwin's Puttin' On the Ritz the group finally came alive giving a captivating performance of this classic, keeping their technical proficiency and adding to it the energetic figure needed.
The Dereham Festival runs until May 20 and includes many varied activities and concerts worth checking out.
