However, the band promptly tempted providence by opening with the march ‘Typhoon’. This has lately become something of a signature piece for the band, composed by the founder of the band as we know it today, Benjamin Hiscott. Fortunately the elements did not oblige, despite temptation, and the programme continued with the 'Lustspiel' or Comedy Overture by Béla.
As if Typhoon was not enough, the weather theme continued with horn soloist Trudy Kimber providing the first solo item of the programme, ‘Over the Rainbow’ (Harold Arlen, arr Richards). This was followed by ‘Mr. Jums’, a piece originally composed as part of a work for brass ensemble by Chris Hazell, which finishes with a particularly demanding soprano cornet obbligato, executed with aplomb by Jean Wells.
So far, so good - A light sprinkling of rain, but no downpour, so the programme continued with an arrangement of the ‘Polovstian Dances’ (Borodin, arr. Huckridge). Next came a version of J.S. Bach’s 'Organ Fugue' in G Minor (arr. Ver der Woude) before the first half concluded with ‘Lord of the Dance’, a collection of tunes from the popular west end show, arranged by Frank Bernaerts.
The second half commenced with ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’, music from the film composed by John Williams and arranged by Ray Farr - A technically demanding piece, best placed at the opening of a set, as not many of us would have the lip left to play it at the end!
There then came the band’s first performance of Peter Graham’s ‘London Celebration’, a clever arrangement of some well known themes including ‘Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner’ and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ with a couple of cleverly scored nods to Big Ben thrown in.
The second feature item of the performance was next - ‘Tyrolean Tubas’ (Maurice Clark), featuring Bb and Eb bass soloists Malcolm Walker, Giles Stamp, Rob Dutton and Chris Roberts. An arrangement of the traditional English folk song ‘The Lass of Richmond Hill’ (arr. Newsome) followed, before the band concluded the set with the familiar Proms pieces.
First of the Proms classics was ‘Jerusalem’ (Parry, arr. Herbert), followed by Denis Wright’s arrangement of the ‘Fantasy on British Sea Songs’, complete with Euphonium cadenza, played for a change by Andy Brittin, 2nd Euph who was ‘acting up’ as principal for the day (come back Nigel, all is forgiven!).
Elgar’s ‘Pomp and Circumstance No.1’ finished off the concert, as the audience joined in with the finale, better known as ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. The audience then stood for the National Anthem, and that was the end of the 5th Proms on the Green. It never actually rained, which was nothing short of a miracle given the threatening skies overhead for most of the afternoon.
Commentary was provided, as usual, by Keith Hedges, Principal Flugel, and if anyone wants to try the knock-knock joke again, it is provided below….
Knock Knock.
Who’s There?
Interrrupting Cow
Interrupting Cow (Moooo!) who?
Ta-Dah! (optional Rim Shot….)
Thanks go to Deps Ron Sweeting, Simon and Mandy Kerr (Harlow Brass), plus Valerie and Simon Dinwiddy (Ware Brass) who helped us fill our few empty seats or augment some of our sections.
Thanks also go to Epping Town Council, particularly Robert Whittome, who support the band, and sort out the permissions for us to set up and play on the green each year.
The musical director was Marc Easener, and the concert was supported by the Mayor of Epping, Mrs, Janet Hedges (no relation to Keith!)..
Andy Brittin
2nd Euphonium
|
