Review of Winterthur Concert Switzerland March 2011 By Ian Keeble
Black Dyke trombone star makes guest appearance in Switzerland with the Brass Band Winterthur.
Black Dyke's principle trombone star Brett Baker appeared as Guest Soloist with the Brass Band Winterthur at their annual Gala Concert in the Stadhaussaal in Winterthur on Sunday Evening (27th March).
Top Class
Following on from the successful visits from Richard Marshall and David Thornton, Brass Band Winterthur was able to invite another star performer from the British banding scene for its 2011 Gala Concert.
The programme included no less than four solo items. “Blue Bells of Scotland”, Charlie Chaplin's “Smile”, Arthur Pryor's “Fantastic Polka” and “Close to You” arranged by Ray Farr. In fact the audience were so enthralled, they insisted on an encore and so Brett rattled off an unaccompanied version of variations on “Annie Laurie” to the delight of the public.
The Solos were interspersed with the Band playing R. B. Hall's march “Death or Glory”, “A Malvern Suite” by Philip Sparke (played specially to make the soloist feel even more at home!), “Libertango” from Astor Piazolla, film music from the 2005 remake of “King Kong” and “Deep Harmony”.
An enthusiastic audience responded with rapturous applause for the superb playing through the evening.
Master Class
The previous day, Brett took a two hour trombone Workshop at the Musikhaus Grimm, in Winterthur.
Brass Band Winterthur
The band in Winterthur has made a dramatic turnaround over the last twelve years. Facing extinction as a 6-man “Posaunenchor”, the introduction of a new chairman led to the birth of a new brass band that now comprises 35 active members.
This non-contesting band has continued its success over the last five years under the direction of young and dynamic conductor, Thomas Mosimann, as well as this series of Gala-Concerts. See www.brassbandwinterthur.ch or contact Ian Keeble at familie.keeble@bluewin.ch for more information.
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