This was a tantalising glimpse into the emerging world of live post-Covid brass band entertainment.

Brighouse & Rastrick’s perspective in implementing Culture Recovery Fund initiatives has gained both plaudits as well as criticism, yet whatever the pros and cons, their resolve has an unmistakable steely edge of musical determination.

That was certainly on display at the refurbished St George’s Hall, with a programme under the elegant baton of Russell Gray that certainly embodied their resolute, individual approach.

Ping

In ‘normal’ circumstances, repertoire that encompassed the traditional Sunday afternoon concert fayre of familiar pot-boilers, east listening ensemble items and classy soloists would keep a decent sized audience happy.  

The first half openers of  ‘Festmusik’  Strauss and  ‘Light Cavalry’  von Suppe were supplemented by bite-sized chunks of Rossini, Bliss and Metheny, before they delivered a characterful rendition of Horovitz’s delightful  ‘Ballet for Band’, which despite a few misplaced arabesques and jeté battu was an admirable display of lightweight touch.

The chance then of a free ticket to hear the West Riding band perform in a socially distanced auditorium was not an opportunity to miss - even at a time when the high pitched ‘ping’ of a glockenspiel entry could still send a misplaced heart-beat of apprehension through those with a ‘Track & Trace’ app on their mobile phones.

The first half openers of  ‘Festmusik’  Strauss and  ‘Light Cavalry’  von Suppe were supplemented by bite-sized chunks of Rossini, Bliss and Metheny, before they delivered a characterful rendition of Horovitz’s delightful  ‘Ballet for Band’, which despite a few misplaced arabesques and jeté battu was an admirable display of lightweight touch.

Reserve

The second half was also a sensible display of reserve; the confident solo spots from Tom Smith (‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’), Tom Hall (‘Taps in Tempo’), Martin Irwin (‘Live and Let Die’) and Chris Robertson (‘La Napolitaine’) neatly interjected between the well-known ensemble features of a free flowing  ‘Jubilee Overture’, two movements from Arnold’s touching  ‘Four Scottish Dances’ and  ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’.

And despite England’s defeat to the Roman legion of Roberto Mancini’s Italian football team, ‘Pines of Rome’  still sent the audience home happy – especially with the  ‘Perpetual Mobile’  and  ‘Floral Dance’  ice-cream encores ringing in their ears.

Iwan Fox