Article courtesy of the Newbury Weekly News, following the joint Concert with the Cromwell Singers on Saturday, 10 March 2018
“Saturday’s concert featuring Phoenix Brass and the Cromwell Singers was a splendid occasion. We were welcomed by David Watson, Musical Director of Phoenix Brass, who throughout the evening set a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
The band started the programme in high spirits with a vivacious and up-beat rendition of the popular march ‘Light of Foot’ by Carl Latann.
Accompanied by the band, soloist Adam Bayliss treated us to a most accomplished performance of the ‘Adagio’ from Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’, originally written for guitar. Conjuring a lovely warm tone from his flugelhorn, Adam Bayliss delighted the audience with his lyrical and expressive playing.
Both the choir and band brought a glorious range of colour to their lively, cheerful and enthusiastic performance of Borodin’s ‘Polovtsian Dances’. The choruses praising Khan Konchak, brimming with energy, were very exciting. The final chorus, with the choir singing their hearts out, was exhilarating.
The band’s animated portrayal of the popular theme from the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’ was exciting, dramatic and full of life. Their rousing and high-spirited performance of ‘And All That Jazz’, from the musical ‘Chicago’, was magnificent.
We had all enjoyed a wonderful evening – congratulations to the Cromwell Singers and Phoenix Brass”.
The evening raised £250 for Christchurch Methodist Church, Marlborough.