New Forest Brass

Stephen Roberts:

Opening is OK, but the sound doesn't quite blend - more "middle" required.
"Bright" is slightly measured in tempo, but has a degree of humour and energy.
Be careful of the balance in the tutti and chords.
Flugel has a nice sound, if a little restrained in character. Solo trombone projects with authority.
115 is OK, but perhaps greater detail to articulation may lift it.
The repeat section is in danger of being forced - watch dynamics.
Bar 160 sounds a bit rushed.
179 is not really articulated enough, but the transition into 198 is well executed and it goes well into the grandioso.
It sounds a little tired into 244 and intonation suffers along with some control in the solo cornets.
Trombones a little forced at 300, but a generally well played conclusion.
A generally good performance that just lacks that extra detail today.

Nick Grace:

A pleasant start but the ensemble was not quite together at bar 6.
Good tempo in bar 11 (bright) and some good style from the trombones at bar 31.
Tempo possibly drops at bar 45?
A measured approach but with the potential for more.
Untidy pause at bar 81.
The flugel is pleasant but suffers a little from a few slips.
A stylistic trombone who seems to enjoy it and is confident.
Some nice moments and the ending is just spoilt by some intonation.
Once the tempo is set at bar 115 the band enjoy themselves.
Solo cornet and sop do well but the ensemble is untidy at bar 149.
Good link into 160 and cornets do very well here.
Enthusiastic attack from the trombones at 179.
The accel. into 198 nearly works.
Tempos are a little inconsistent at times when the band get excited.
Grandioso is too slow for crotchet =120 and intonation suffers 237 in upper cornets.
The cornet solo at 248 sounds a little tired and there are some intonation issues.
Tired trombones have some intonation problems as well.
A very promising performance that did not quite live up to expectation.
Some good moments. Well done.