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I had the privilege of hearing Norway's current Champion Brass Band in
Concert and it was a real experience for both audience and members of
the Beaumaris Band. With new musical director and former cornetist with
the Stavager Band Morten Hansen, they opened with Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's
modern classic "Circius - wind of the North" exellent effects
from band and percussion in this brilliant work.
Next up was an arrangement of a norwegian folk tune "Nu Rinner Solen
Op" arranged by Svien Henrik Giske, different sounds with modern
rhythms and norse melodies played well by the Euphonium and cornet section.
Another Aagaard-Nilsen classic in his " Norwegian Dance" great
percussion and soloists...great piece.
To
follow we heard two movements from Philip Sparke's" Hymn of the Highlands"
very expressive Euphonium playing from Sindre Skjold in "Summer Isles
and the very fast and brilliant (some nods to Harmony Music here, thank
you Mr Sparke) "Dundonnell" with some great horn, baritone and
trombone playing. The depth of solo talent in the Stavanger Band was on
show with an arrangement of an Irish Reel by Jan Magne Forde (a member
of the norwegian group Brass Bros) started by Tuba, percussion, the middle
of the band and the brilliant soprano (more about him soon)and cornet
section
really shone in this piece (and not a pint of guinness in sight).
Next
up another arrangement by Jan Magne Forde of "Cool T" featuring
the soprano cornetist " Espen Westbye" a few jokes between band,
soloist and conductor and the Miles Davies/Wynton Marsallis effects came
off really effectivly , it was amazing to hear as morten put "One
of the best young trumpet players from Norway...very similer to Ole Edvard
Antonsen (tour de force) and Harken Hardenberger...a great future for
Espen..
after this how could it get any better, well we were amazed by the flugel
playing of Margrethe Tonnesen in Ray Farr's arrangement of " Over
the Rainbow, once again enhanced by subtle and magic percussion.
The Finale was nothing short of stunning...Eric Crees massive "Symphonic
Dances from West Side Story"...the different moods of the Mambo,
the cha cha Maria, the brilliant America, and the emotive Somewhere...this
was a brilliant concert played by one of the most entertaining bands the
Brass Band world has. It was a real privilege...the audience needed to
hear more and the Stavanger band delivered playing the welsh air "All
through the Night"
Thank you Morten and the Band for such a fantastic night.
Nick Jones
