Trinity College at the University of Cambridge served as an undeniably beautiful backdrop for a precise, considered performance of a widely varied programme. 

Lydbrook Band performed crisply, attentively and enthusiastically throughout; the occasional miniscule slip in intonation and rhythmic clarity doing nothing to detract from an assured, confident performance. 

Power and physicality

MD Ian Holmes commanded serious control of the ensemble, with any rough edges quickly hemmed in. Varied virtuosic performances, especially in the cornets, were immaculate and kept the audience engaged. The ensemble had a vibrant and lively quality of sound, the power and physicality of the performance really drawing the listener in, whilst the tubas made chairs rattle. It was brilliant.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s crowd-pleasing music was featured with ‘Enter the Galaxies’ – delivered brightly; its tight scales, wonderfully intonated and exhilarating. Snippets of Elgar, Monckton, Boëllmann, and Wagner gave the band space to express other facets of their playing, whilst the remaining pieces by Liz Lane and Kenneth Downie gave them something more substantial to sink their teeth in to. 

This particularly moving performance saw passages of narration woven into the music in impactful, beautiful and meaningful ways, with the personal relationship between the composer, band, and poet’s family elevating it to uncommonly emotive, beautiful heights. 

Creative and expressive

Liz Lane’s compositions were the most creative and expressive works of the programme. ‘Stars are not too far’, a premiere for the concert, presented listeners with a seamless, distinctly-developed crafting together of a wide range of different, engaging musical ideas and quotes.

‘Silver Rose’, featured Isaac Rosenberg’s poetry, narrated by Micha Lazarus, a descendant of Rosenberg. 

This particularly moving performance saw passages of narration woven into the music in impactful, beautiful and meaningful ways, with the personal relationship between the composer, band, and poet’s family elevating it to uncommonly emotive, beautiful heights. 

It was a touching and memorable performance for remembrance weekend in which Lydbrook Band’s raw virtuosity and bold programming gave the audience something unusual and special to enjoy.

David John Roche