12.30 lunchtime, Thursday 9th June 2016
The Story of Brass with quintet Mardi Brass Fraser Tannock & Edward Maxwell, trumpets Jonathan Hassan, horn Adam Woolf, trombone Jeff Miller, tuba & bass trombone from animal horn and hollow stick to the valve trumpet Venue: Leatherhead Methodist Church |
Sponsor: 2016 Season Sponsor: Patricia Morgan Optician Supported by: Leatherhead Concert & Arts Society 
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Programme
The Story of Brass
from animal horn and hollow stick to the modern valve trumpet with live examples played by members of the quintet on trumpet, cornet, horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium, and quite a few other things one can blow through You will find recordings of the works Mardi Brass played today lower down this webpage. |
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Free Concert, with a retiring collection to cover costs. Tea and coffee will be available after the concert.
The LCAS/Leatherhead Trinity Project
MARDI BRASS come to our lunchtime concert today after spending the morning demonstrating their instruments to the pupils at Leatherhead Trinity School - and even letting a few have a go!
This is the first time LCAS Music on Thursdays has engaged in this kind of outreach work. It is a worthwhile project that our Trustees and our audience of music-lovers are keen to develop.
We are extremely grateful for the financial support for the project given by Julie West Solicitor and by a former pupil of the Poplar Road School, one of the schools that merged to form Leatherhead Trinity.
If you would also like to contribute to our project, which aims to bring the sounds of orchestral instruments to the pupils of Leatherhead Trinity School each term, please send your donation to us at: LCAS Treasurer, 1 Monks Green, Fetcham, KT22 9TL.
Meanwhile: we apologise to any Trinity parents who find they have a child continually playing 'air trombone' this coming weekend. It may please you to know that local teachers include Phil Bishop who will help your son or daughter develop real technique and good tone.
This is the first time LCAS Music on Thursdays has engaged in this kind of outreach work. It is a worthwhile project that our Trustees and our audience of music-lovers are keen to develop.
We are extremely grateful for the financial support for the project given by Julie West Solicitor and by a former pupil of the Poplar Road School, one of the schools that merged to form Leatherhead Trinity.
If you would also like to contribute to our project, which aims to bring the sounds of orchestral instruments to the pupils of Leatherhead Trinity School each term, please send your donation to us at: LCAS Treasurer, 1 Monks Green, Fetcham, KT22 9TL.
Meanwhile: we apologise to any Trinity parents who find they have a child continually playing 'air trombone' this coming weekend. It may please you to know that local teachers include Phil Bishop who will help your son or daughter develop real technique and good tone.
Postscript:
We are pretty sure the School enjoyed the experience!
Click here to read their newsletter, and then scroll down to page 4.
We are pretty sure the School enjoyed the experience!
Click here to read their newsletter, and then scroll down to page 4.
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We are grateful to Julie West Solicitor of Leatherhead, for sponsoring the LCAS/Leatherhead Trinity Project, bringing the sounds of professional performance to pupils at the School. |
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Mardi Brass
Mardi Brass is a versatile and dynamic brass quintet which performs music in a plethora of musical styles spanning six centuries. Since its founding in 1992, the group has performed throughout Britain, thrilling audiences with its blend of music and humour.
Mardi Brass has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and made an appearance on BBC2's Edinburgh Nights, playing for the Perrier Comedy Award presentation. Other broadcasts have included In Tune on BBC Radio 3, a cameo appearance on BBC1's Panorama and numerous features on local radio stations. In 1993 Mardi Brass took part in ClassicFM's first birthday celebrations. The group has performed at prestigious venues such as the Purcell Room on London's South Bank and has undertaken several tours of Britain and the Channel Islands.
There is more information on the Mardi Brass website.
Mardi Brass has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and made an appearance on BBC2's Edinburgh Nights, playing for the Perrier Comedy Award presentation. Other broadcasts have included In Tune on BBC Radio 3, a cameo appearance on BBC1's Panorama and numerous features on local radio stations. In 1993 Mardi Brass took part in ClassicFM's first birthday celebrations. The group has performed at prestigious venues such as the Purcell Room on London's South Bank and has undertaken several tours of Britain and the Channel Islands.
There is more information on the Mardi Brass website.
Fraser Tannock, trumpet
Fraser Tannock is Mardi Brass's newest member, joining the group in 2010. He grew up in Hampshire and studied trumpet at Trinity College of Music where he was awarded several prizes, including the Philip Jones Brass Prize. Since completing his studies, he has won the Royal Overseas League Commonwealth Competition and performed concertos and recitals at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St.James' Piccadilly, the Millennium Dome and at the Palace of Versailles. His recording of Leopold Mozart's Concerto in D was Classic fm's recording of the week.
Fraser performs with orchestras in the UK, Europe, South America and Asia. A love of theatre has been indulged in work on productions at Shakespeare's Globe and on many West End shows. He is currently playing first trumpet in the West End hit show, Top Hat. He has been a featured soloist on Film & TV soundtracks, commercial recordings and dance tracks.
He lives in West London with Tamzin and their children Louis and Lola and is presently working out how to combine his passion for cricket with the current Mardi Brass schedule.
Fraser performs with orchestras in the UK, Europe, South America and Asia. A love of theatre has been indulged in work on productions at Shakespeare's Globe and on many West End shows. He is currently playing first trumpet in the West End hit show, Top Hat. He has been a featured soloist on Film & TV soundtracks, commercial recordings and dance tracks.
He lives in West London with Tamzin and their children Louis and Lola and is presently working out how to combine his passion for cricket with the current Mardi Brass schedule.
Edward Maxwell, trumpet
Edward Maxwell was born and brought up in Birmingham. He studied at Sussex University and the Royal College of Music and now enjoys a varied freelance career.
He has appeared as a soloist with the Camerata of London, London City Chamber Orchestra, Surrey ProMusica and Sinfonia da Chiesa both in the UK and in Europe. He has played in numerous shows, including the European premiere of Sondheim's Road Show in London and a tour of The Music Man, and has performed, recorded and broadcast with various contemporary music groups such as the New Music Players and Ixion. He has played the natural trumpet with groups such as Florilegium, The Brook Street Band and Oltremontano and has on occasion been spotted in a wig and tights at Hampton Court Palace. He makes a fleeting appearance as an Elizabethan court musician in the film Elizabeth: the Golden Age.
Edward was a member of the band for the acclaimed West End show, Merrily We Roll Along by Sondheim, a production which was screened in cinemas around the world. He recently performed in the RSC's production of Richard II, starring David Tennant.
A keen editor, arranger and composer, his music has been published by Boosey and Hawkes, Spartan Press, Music Sales and Warwick Music. He is married to Sian and has four children: Ben, Oliver, Elin and Tess.
For further information, visit www.edwardmaxwell.com
He has appeared as a soloist with the Camerata of London, London City Chamber Orchestra, Surrey ProMusica and Sinfonia da Chiesa both in the UK and in Europe. He has played in numerous shows, including the European premiere of Sondheim's Road Show in London and a tour of The Music Man, and has performed, recorded and broadcast with various contemporary music groups such as the New Music Players and Ixion. He has played the natural trumpet with groups such as Florilegium, The Brook Street Band and Oltremontano and has on occasion been spotted in a wig and tights at Hampton Court Palace. He makes a fleeting appearance as an Elizabethan court musician in the film Elizabeth: the Golden Age.
Edward was a member of the band for the acclaimed West End show, Merrily We Roll Along by Sondheim, a production which was screened in cinemas around the world. He recently performed in the RSC's production of Richard II, starring David Tennant.
A keen editor, arranger and composer, his music has been published by Boosey and Hawkes, Spartan Press, Music Sales and Warwick Music. He is married to Sian and has four children: Ben, Oliver, Elin and Tess.
For further information, visit www.edwardmaxwell.com
Jonathan Hassan, horn
Jonathan Hassan studied at the Royal College of Music. He is currently principal horn with English Touring Opera and is on the extras list for the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Jon recently completed a trial for second horn with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and regularly plays in Les Miserables in London's West End. He played in the West End production of West Side Story, and has toured the UK with several shows including West Side Story, Singing in the Rain and Oklahoma!
Jon has also recorded several soundtracks for the BBC, and performed concertos with orchestras in London and Plymouth. As a horn teacher he is a member of staff at St. Paul's Cathedral School and the University of Roehampton.
A motoring enthusaist, Jon drove a fast car until recently, and is now looking for a second-hand Skoda.
Jon recently completed a trial for second horn with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and regularly plays in Les Miserables in London's West End. He played in the West End production of West Side Story, and has toured the UK with several shows including West Side Story, Singing in the Rain and Oklahoma!
Jon has also recorded several soundtracks for the BBC, and performed concertos with orchestras in London and Plymouth. As a horn teacher he is a member of staff at St. Paul's Cathedral School and the University of Roehampton.
A motoring enthusaist, Jon drove a fast car until recently, and is now looking for a second-hand Skoda.
Adam Woolf, trombone
Adam Woolf joined Mardi Brass in 2001. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1993-97 and during this time developed a keen interest in chamber music of all types from 17th century trio sonatas to contemporary works for electronics and brass ensemble and modern jazz styles.
Adam has become a busy international freelance player working with orchestras and chamber music ensembles all over Europe, giving concerts and making recordings.
Adam is principal trombone for Sir John Eliot Gardiner's orchestras and a member of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts. He teaches as visiting professor at every London music college as well as on international courses held throughout the year.
Adam is also a keen arranger of brass music and his work can be heard on several recordings, including Something Old, Something Borrowed, and Hark! by Mardi Brass.
In 2007 Adam was awarded an honorary ARAM by the Royal Academy of Music for distinguished contributions to the music profession.
Adam has become a busy international freelance player working with orchestras and chamber music ensembles all over Europe, giving concerts and making recordings.
Adam is principal trombone for Sir John Eliot Gardiner's orchestras and a member of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts. He teaches as visiting professor at every London music college as well as on international courses held throughout the year.
Adam is also a keen arranger of brass music and his work can be heard on several recordings, including Something Old, Something Borrowed, and Hark! by Mardi Brass.
In 2007 Adam was awarded an honorary ARAM by the Royal Academy of Music for distinguished contributions to the music profession.
Jeff Miller, tuba & bass trombone
Jeff Miller was born among the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music in Tuba from the Mannes College of Music, Manhattan.
Jeff's tutors have included David Fedderly of the Julliard School, David Taylor, NYC bass trombonist extraordinaire, and tuba virtuoso Roger Bobo.
Jeff joined Mardi Brass in 1997. An active freelancer, Jeff has trialed on tuba and cimbasso with Scottish Opera, has played in the West End and touring productions of Chicago, and has performed with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
His amplified tuba has been heard playing funk bass lines throughout the UK and Europe, and his bass trombone can be heard in several London-based big bands, usually from many miles away.
Happily domesticated, Jeff lives with his wife Ellie (a professional violinist) and children Oscar and Alice. His hobbies include theoretical physics and artificial intelligence studies.
Jeff owns 5 tubas and is a keen supporter of Young's Brewery.
Jeff's tutors have included David Fedderly of the Julliard School, David Taylor, NYC bass trombonist extraordinaire, and tuba virtuoso Roger Bobo.
Jeff joined Mardi Brass in 1997. An active freelancer, Jeff has trialed on tuba and cimbasso with Scottish Opera, has played in the West End and touring productions of Chicago, and has performed with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
His amplified tuba has been heard playing funk bass lines throughout the UK and Europe, and his bass trombone can be heard in several London-based big bands, usually from many miles away.
Happily domesticated, Jeff lives with his wife Ellie (a professional violinist) and children Oscar and Alice. His hobbies include theoretical physics and artificial intelligence studies.
Jeff owns 5 tubas and is a keen supporter of Young's Brewery.
Concert at Home
If you cannot be with us at the lunchtime concert
you can enjoy a similar Concert at Home by clicking through the buttons below:
you can enjoy a similar Concert at Home by clicking through the buttons below:
Here is a lovely recording of the famous Canon in D by the 17th century German composer Johann Pachelbel - properly called his Canon & Gigue in D for 3 Violins and Basso Continuo. Other instrumental combinations are possible and very pleasant to the ear, as you will hear:
Another piece of the popular repertoire arranged for brass quintet is this version of JS Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. The players here are a brass quintet comprising members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra:
In case you are doubting that anyone actually writes intending their work to be played by a brass quintet, here is a recording of Michael Kamen's Quintet, which he wrote for the performers here, Canadian Brass.
And here are recordings of the works we actually heard in today's concert, illustrating the telling of The Story of Brass . . .
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Mardi Brass opened with The Bare Necessities, from Disney's The Jungle Book (the only Terry Gilkyson song to make it to the film version) |
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Let's not fall out over whether Henry VIII really wrote this. Let's just enjoy Greensleeves |
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16th century Italian composer Adriano Banchieri was a new name to me. This is his Canzona Sesta |
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After exploring the idea of a horn WITHOUT valves, (they used the hand in the bell to shorten the tube and make extra notes between the harmonics)
we listened to the Rondo from Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto |
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Not a brass arrangement this time, but the original, Thelonius Monk, with his Blue Monk |
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Today has been about bringing music to schoolchildren. When you see and hear this 9 year old in action you'll realise she could teach a lot of us a thing or two ! |
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After a vote (referendum?) on our preference, the audience chose to hear an arrangement of the Pie Jesu, from Fauré's Requiem |
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Runner-up in the voting, and a very welcome encore item, was a work by early 17th century composer Samuel Scheidt It might have been this Canzona Bergamasca |
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A late correction from Jonathan Hassan: we actually heard Die Bänkelsängerlieder, sometimes attributed to 17th century Daniel Speer, but these days Anon is thought the more likely composer |
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We hope you have enjoyed your Concert at Home.
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We are grateful to Julie West Solicitor of Leatherhead, for sponsoring the LCAS/Leatherhead Trinity Project, bringing the sounds of professional performance to pupils at the School. |
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