After the ‘National Anthem’, the Band of the Household Cavalry opened with the premiere of 'Intrada (Cavalry Trumpet Prelude)' which saw four trumpeters ranged behind the band in music that explored the major triads of the trumpeters contrasted with the wider chromatic palette offered by the ensemble.

'Festival Overture - Rule Britannia' took the familiar theme through a series of variations; from unison horns , woodwind flourishes and brass runs to a final canonic conclusion.

CoH Martin was the excellent cornet soloist in 'Dark Lochnagar' by Nigel Hess, before Rob Wiffin's lively setting of 'Here's a Health'. 

Tribute

'With Each Sunset' was written as a tribute to Jack Helmsley, a soldier killed in Iraq. Its unison melody gradually opened out with lush woodwind harmonies before building to a climax and repose with a prominent major seventh adding optimism to the final chord.

The first half closed with 'Laudate Dominum' in a new arrangement by Rob Wiffin. On this occasion it only featured the original variations, but a fuller version is expected shortly. Here the solo and ensemble playing was first class.

After a cavalry trumpet heralded the start of the second half, Rob Wiffin's sparkling 'Shining Sword' was followed by the equally sparkling selection of 'Irving Berlin Showstoppers'. 

'With Each Sunset' was written as a tribute to Jack Helmsley, a soldier killed in Iraq. Its unison melody gradually opened out with lush woodwind harmonies before building to a climax and repose with a prominent major seventh adding optimism to the final chord.

Serenity

John Williams' ‘Dartmoor, 1912' evoked the peaceful serenity of the countryside before a series of instrumental features came from the pen of Philip Sparke; the soprano and tenor saxophones presented 'Alladale' leading into the second and third sections of his ‘Dance Movements', featuring woodwind and brass.

The cavalry trumpet appeared once more in 'Evening Hymn and Cavalry Last Post', incorporating 'Now the Day is Over', with the soloist in the musicians' gallery. It was dedicated to Major Gerry McColl who had recently passed away.

The concert closed with 'Godspeed'; something of a tour de force that drew excellent playing from around the stand. The colours were heard to good effect - not least the harp-playing of LCpl Kate Sandford.

Peter Bale