Baroque Brassfest

04 Dec 2012

50 brass players and 85 singers filled the Prior Park College Chapel with the glories of Baroque last week.
Brass players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) joined brass players and choirs from Prior Park College, The Paragon School, Beechen Cliff, Hayesfield, King Edward’s and Monkton Comb last Tuesday evening for a Brassfest. The amazing evening, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the great Venetian composer, Giovanni Gabrieli, took place in the chapel at Prior Park.

The OAE professionals, playing their authentic 17th century instruments with their unique and wonderful sound, were at the College as part of a coaching programme to introduce baroque brass techniques to Prior Park and other students. In the concert, the professionals performed several pieces on their own and joined the schools in their performances. These alternated with massed performances of splendid brass showpieces from the 17th century.
It is the first time Prior Park has hosted such an event which involved over 50 brass players and 85 singers. The OAE commented: “It is genuinely uplifting to work with such wonderful young musicians who bring a youthful exuberance to the evening.”

One of the conductors for the evening, Director of Music at Prior Park College, Mr Roland Robertson, was just as enthusiastic; “The sight and sound of these instruments in our Chapel was an unforgettable experience.