Brass band Rijnmond successfully presented themselves on stage last Saturday during Brass Connections 2022 in Vlaardingen.
This annual event, organized by Brassband Rijnmond especially for its loyal supporters, this year was dominated by "Song & Dance". According to one of the listeners, it was "a wonderful brass night out". Music was played at a high level and there was was a lot to enjoy for both the band and the audience.The whole was presented in a fun and professional way by presenter José van Noort.
Brass band Rijnmond opened the concert with a world premiere and then a solo performance. Of course, the "great" work was not lacking. A very demanding program with which the band will attempt to win the third Dutch Open Brass Band Championship title.
The opening work after the intermission was the rousing "Jig" from Gustav Holst's St. Pauls Suite in an arrangement by the band's euphonium player Stefan van der Wilt. The program continued with a number of dazzling “Dances”. The "Four Scottish Dances" by Malcolm Arnold and the well-known and spectacular "Riverdance" by Bill Wheelan were well received by the public. As a contrast to this violent dance, Christian Jongepier played the "Song" "La Califfa" by composer Ennio Morricone from the film of the same name as a soloist on E-flat cornet. This piece brought some peace to the hall again, allowing the audience to enjoy a bit of a breather.
In the piece "Elephant Patrol" by composer Philip Harper, the bass section was assigned an important role. Great to see the public envisioned a line of elephants patrolling the jungle. In this case, the basses marched to the forefront, making their physical and musical contribution to the piece. Striking was the last low pedal note played by bassist William Otto, which closed the piece sublimely and subtly. The audience was surprised and entertained by the very fast-paced "Comedy Tonight" by Stephan Sondheim, with many comical and recognizable cartoonish elements, which resulted in tremendous applause.
With the beautiful concert march "Mephistopheles" by Shiply Douglas. played as a tribute to and appreciation for "bandmother Riet", the evening concluded. Brass band Rijnmond looks back on the concert with great pleasure and satisfaction and thanks its loyal audience and its tireless conductor Chris Derikx. Both the band and the audience returned home satisfied after this "wonderful brass evening".
Brass Connections 2023 will take place next year on Saturday 11 February 2023. Brassband Rijnmond hopes to welcome you again!
Just under a week to go and then the band can measure itself musically with a strong and beautiful field of participants during the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships in the Oosterpoort in Groningen.
