New Forest Brass

Stephen Roberts:

1. Very ponderous tempo lacks flow and has little sense of 'giocoso'. It also sounds too restrained in lower dynamics so the musical line is lost. Careful of balance in trombones - occasionally sticking out too much. Intonation is also an issue.

2. Somewhat laboured start means it is hard to give the shape the musical line need. Allegretto has much better character, but is too fast really. K - Tbns overpower euph. Accel is untidy and L not balanced. M is fine - well played. Reprise of start is much better and Sop does OK and tidy and well controlled close.

3. Good tempo to open allows for clarity, but a few too many splits in cnts and untidy running passages. Q is ok if somewhat prosaic in character. T sounds like a funeral, it is so slow. U - has too many slips, but sop does well, but it starts to tire to end.

A rather lugubrious performance due to the tempo choices.

Paul Norley:

1) Tuning and balance instantly suspect. Somewhat disjointed. Good dynamic attempts. Generally lacking musical flow and shape. Well controlled 'rit'. Unitdy ensemble thereafter. Semiquavers lack clarity. Invasive trombones. Unsettled towards an unconvincing close.

2) Warm toned but the melodic lines lack shape. Balance drifts and is transient. Tidy trombones at I. K Shaky and with intonation problems. Loose entires in ensemble on 'accel'. Never fully together through L. Tidy and well balanced close.

3) Heavy and lacking dynamic detail. Very good solo horn. This is now very stylish. Supportive percussion. Loose phrase ends. The style becomes overly heavy through Q. T some curious notes through T and the effect is somewhat jaded. Untidy transition into U. Well done sop! Stamina fading somewhat and the approach to the close lacks drive and balance. Nevertheless you deliver a coherent finish.

A performance lacking in style and musical shape. Some tempo choices suspect. This did not help the musical shape.