THE GLASGOW based ‘Thistle Brass Quintet’ hit exactly the right note at the Mid Argyll Arts Association concert in Ardrishaig Hall last Saturday night, reaching out to music lovers of all tastes.
The music began in lively fashion with Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue, before moving on to ‘Dances of the Scottish Court’ by contemporary composer John Maxwell Geddes.
Then came ‘Farewell to Stromness’ written specially for the Quintet by Peter Maxwell Davies and a hilarious tuba solo, ‘Fnugg’, superbly carried off by Matthew Chinn. A most eloquent and free flowing quintet by Victor Ewald, a Russian contemporary of Tchaikovsky, brought the first half to a splendid close with the large audience buzzing.
The six contrasting items after the interval were equally entertaining, starting with Dukas’ lively ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ (remember Mickey Mouse in ‘Fantasia’?). The Suite from ‘Westside Story’ followed, really bringing out the best in the ensemble, with lovely close harmony playing from Fergus Kerr (Horn) and Arlene Macfarlane (trombone). Then came the sorbet of ‘Loch Lomond’, before the rollicking ‘Sea Songs’ (last night of the Proms!) and a highly original rendition of the ‘Triumphal March’ form ‘Aida’, highlighting the Quintet’s trumpeters, Ian Archibald and Brian McGinley, who ensured that opera lovers were not left out of the evening’s entertainment.
The concert ended on two lively jazz numbers, with the quintet’s superb playing yet again underlining their individual versatility and total togetherness, and ensuring that the audience left the concert with a smile and ‘that feel good feeling’!
