Camborne Band & Laura Nicholas
Conductor: Kevin Mackenzie
Heartlands, Pool, Cornwall
Saturday 24th August 2013
Camborne Band performed in the first Heartlands Prom at Pool on 24th August and what a fantastic evening it was. The evening was compered by Rebecca Wills of BBC Spotlight who entertained the audience with her comedic anecdotes and great appreciation of the music performed. The event, which hopes to be annually staged, was well attended to a near-capacity, very appreciative audience.
The band began the evening with Tortuguero 6, written in 2012 by Jonathan Bates of the Black Dyke Band. This rousing number really set the bench mark for the evening and was followed by renditions of Verdi’s Force of Destiny and a cornet solo featuring Darren Hendy.
The band was delighted welcome the nationally acclaimed soprano, Laura Nicholas as their guest soloist for the evening. She performed solos throughout the concert that included Dvorak’s Rusalka’s Song to the Moon, Schicchi’s O Mio Babbino Caro and Schubert’s Du Bist Die Ruh, which were met with a huge ovation. Laura’s singing was outstanding and the band was truly delighted to be able to perform with her.
The band then continued to end the first half with Phillip Littlemore’s arrangement of O Magnum Mysterium and Lorne Barry’s Credo.
The second half started with George Lloyds HMS Trinidad March, reprised from his centenary concert earlier in the year. Funiculi Funicula Rhapsody then followed as well as a euphonium duet of Peter Graham’s Brillante. This was exquisitely played by Angela Retallack and John Hitchens and met with great applause by the audience.
The evening then moved on to the traditional proms repertoire featuring Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No.1, where Laura Nicholas led the singing, including a rousing rendition of Trelawny. An encore of Shostakovich’s Folk Festival followed, rounding off a fabulous evening and the start of an annual event for all to enjoy.
