AN audience of almost 1,000 enjoyed an absolutely mesmeric display of musicianship last Saturday when Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band played hosts to the Cory Band from the Rhondda, South Wales.
Guest conductor Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, an orchestral conductor, is normally found in the salubrious surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall or Festival Hall conducting the Royal Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra or South Africa’s Cape Philharmonic, but seemed completely at home in front of the 60 musicians of the combined bands.
Hughes, who was also the conductor of Huddersfield Choral Society during the period of 1980 to 1986, was in Huddersfield obviously enjoying himself immensely as part of the celebrations for his 70th birthday.
The programme, entitled A Night at the Opera, included many of the most well known classical favourites including the Introduction to Act 3 of Lohengrin (Wagner), the Dance of the Tumblers (Rimsky-Korsakov) and Smetana’s Bartered Bride, Verdi’s Grand March from Aida.
The audience gave the bands a standing ovation until the conductor returned to conduct them in the encore of “the Can-Can” which resulted in a second standing ovation.
The next concert in the series is on October 27 when B&R’s guests will be the Rothwell Temperance Band.
Before then B&R can also be seen on April 15 at the King’s Hall in Ilkley.
Tickets from the booking office on 01943 602319.
