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David Read

Lovely sounds heard to open and the music flows like it should. Arpeggios fine and the line is well held, good climax to Bar 52.
D Good start Soprano, but just a little discomfort as we proceed, but all rhythmic. I again slight discomfort in the individual solos.
J well shaped and balanced
K I could take more of the tune for relative balance
M Some slight intonation problems occur but good as we proceed.
N A little tentative to start
O Neat but not as 'brilliant' as it could be. Bravura Soloists fine.
P Well done Sop - musically shaped
Q Good tempo change Bar 235 I could take more flugel
R Rhythmic
S Good but could it be more majestic? Largo crochet = 40?
T Lovely well balanced sounds through to close.

Many good points but a few lapses

Chris Wormald

An excellent opening, full of control, poise and quality. This is building and building. Superb, so sonorous. The inner detail is all in place and so clear. This is fabulously impressive and the first climax at 52 is superb. Turning into D is not 100% secure and at D. Soprano is not without blemish, solo cornet also.
Fabulous playing again but at I there are one or two moments in Repiano and xylophone. J again is excellent but solo horn quite sharp in the higher register and bar 140 not secure as you know.
Again fantastic soprano contributions from K through to M. Good sounds at M but not without a blemish or two in Basses and Euphoniums, tenor horns in 168. All moves superbly into P in general but not all detail is either heard or secure.
Soprano at P, well played very stylish. Bar 234 to R is particularly effective, superb flugel in 236 and dynamic contrasts are excellent here. All moves well to S and this is all impressive. Not all intonation is secure from T to the end especially in the final 4 bars. Control is good, very good, but the Moreno / niente is not entirely convincing.

Overall this was a very classy performance, much quality, some superb individual contributions around the stand. (2 minutes longer than the score intends however)

Many thanks

Nigel Boddice

Quality playing from the outset in all aspects and details shining through.very patient dynamic growth and very carefully balanced. Always flowing but with dignity.
A superb prelude

D Steady ish but effective
Individual lines (slightly) under observation, perhaps too safe?
J Atmospheric with a little purer simplicity ideally wished
K Euphonium texture lost a little
M A little discomfort noted
N Lots of fun here - occasional 'under pressure' bar noted
P Atmospheric - classy Sop sound Bravo
Finale - feels a little (hard worked) over careful

A very fine band indeed with fine direction but lost a little intensity as the part unfolded