Bramwell Tovey's last visit to the UK saw him direct Foden’s in a memorable concert at the RNCM Festival of Brass, so no wonder there was a sense of eager anticipation in the air at Peel Hall as he returned to lead the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

A miserable Salford night meant a few empty seats, but those who braved the elements were treated to an evening to relish, with the latest batch of talented youngsters responding brilliantly to his direction in a programme of considerable musical substance.

At its best

This was the NYBBGB at its best; stretching itself to its limit with a palpable sense of eager desire. Any tiredness wouldn’t have appeared for hours after the last note was played: Adrenaline levels must have been off the scale.

After the 'National Anthem', it was straight into the sparkling delivery of the MD's own, 'Deo Gloria', before a welcome reprise of Gilbert Vinter’s classic, 'Spectrum', played with wholly appropriate vibrant colour, dynamic texture and stylistic contrast.

Intriguing

Canadian composer, Kelly-Marie Murphy came to study in Leeds under Philip Wilby in the 1990s, and 'Drumming The Plain - The Horseman is Coming' is one of her earliest compositions for the medium.

Inspired by a poem by Federo Garcia Lorca, the Calgary mountains and lingering homesickness, this intriguing, pacey work, very much 'Wilbyesque' in style, received an excellent UK première.

Thrilling rendition

The first half closed with former principal cornet and the recently appointed RPO principal trumpet James Fountain, delivering a thrilling rendition of the immense Ernest Tomlinson 'Cornet Concerto'.

Superbly capturing the austere darkness and drama of the first movement, before segueing into a quite stunning middle section of melancholic, expressive lyricism, the finale grew in pulse and energy, closing with a stunning climax.

No wonder conductor Richard Evans later said the young soloist reminded him of his great friend, Maurice Murphy for who the concerto was originally written. 

Respectful sincerity

The second half programmed music in remembrance of the First World War and the forthcoming 70th anniversary of VE Day, with the reflective 'The Passing Years' from Eric Ball's 'Divertimento' featuring the excellent principal cornet, Thomas Fountain.

'Voices' (in memoriam) by Lucy Pankhurst was written to commemorate the centenary of one of the famous Christmas truces between Allied and German forces in 1914 - a vivid, evocative journey back in time, underpinned with a deep sense of respectful sincerity. 

Splendid

James Fountain returned in lighter, but equally impressive mode on trumpet and cornet in 'Memories of You' and 'The Sunshine of Your Smile', eitherside of which the band gave splendid renditions of the MD's 'The Night to Sing' and Edward Gregson’s 'Of Distant Memories’.

With high quality ensemble and solo interventions, musicality and neat contrasts of style, two exceptionally demanding works were given performances of formidable character and substance - a quite remarkable achievement in fact.

Encore dab

It just left time for a little dab of encore delight: Rimmer's famous march 'The Cossack' complete with minimalist direction and the players singing their parts. Not even their lips could have taken any more.

It rounded off an inspiring concert where the NYBBGB, soloist and MD once again displayed their musical excellence to a very appreciative audience. 

Malcolm Wood