Review Brass Dynamics recital

Press, 21 October 1989, Page 10

Review Brass Dynamics recital

Recital by Brass Dynamics in the Great Hall, Arts Centre, on Friday, October 20, at 1.10 p.m. Reviewed by Allan Francis. An afternoon of combined brass can be a wearisome thing for those not specifically wedded to the .instrument. At times limited in scope, blunt-spoken, often less than charming, a brass ensemble can be anything but soothing or inspiring.

However, there are exceptions; the five members of Brass Dynamics promised to dispel all of these myths and their solutions were interesting.

Starting, proceedings on a jolly note from the seventeenth century that breathed of court jesters and noble airs, the group gave a spirited display of the “Bankelsangerlieder Sonata”

from Germany. The homegrown product — briefly listed as “Quintet” by Paul Sarcich — brought a more .modem flavour. The central section of this piece put an end to theories about lack of expression with the warmly rounded “Ballard.” lan MacDonald’s “Sea Sketches” too, had a salty ring that was certainly English in conception — Southern England or Cornwall possibly, with Arnold Bax the composer source. “Five Fribbles,” the work of a Christchurch composer, Eric Biddington, provided plenty of scope for harmony in a minor key and discords — often a dangerous proposition where strings or woodwinds are not involved. The group never flagged

though, mastering the problems through well-rehearsed individual playing. Well at home in the brisk passages, such as “Scherzo” where the sly humour was especially captivating, the group enjoyed the romp.

Humour again played the dominating role in the final piece, “La Rose Nuptiale,” by Calixa Navallee, a work that unfolded like a fruity melodrama.

Considering the group is still at the emerging stage the ensemble and individual playing was remarkably good. Their tone was warm and highly coloured. Some of the lines fell away, a minor problem which will doubtless disappear in time. Another feature was the evenness of ability, which bodes well for their future.