Great brass in Brodick

A big audience welcomed the five players of Alba Brass to Brodick Hall on February 15th, and enjoyed a marvellously mixed programme of music, ranging from Handel to Gershwin and with much in between.

On trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone and bass, there was a splendidly varied range of tone, coupled with superb empathy between the players, giving a constantly lively and interesting performance. A highlight for at least visits with Whistlebinkies and his fascinating Chinese group, Harmony. This was a questing, exploratory piece that used every aspect of the trombone’s tonal range, from a pure clarity to ‘tearing calico’ intensity.

The first movement of a composition called Souch, by Martin Green, was rivetingly interesting, moving as it did from reflection and search to a heavy beat that was strangely ominous, then broke up as though in flight. It ended with a silence that was part of the piece, and the audience, holding its breath, did not applaud until the instruments were slowly lowered. A magical performance.