Thanks to Bob Walp, our Music Director, some of the members of the Houston Brass band have been invited to perform Janacek’s Sinfonietta with the Houston Civic Orchestra on the 6th March at the Dunham Theater, Morris Cultural Arts Center at Houston Baptist University.
Besides the normal compliment of brasses in the orchestra, Janacek calls for nine trumpets, two bass trumpets, and two tenor tubas, all of which perform behind the orchestra. The first movement of the five-movement work is entirely played by these extra players, and is very complex.
On a personal note, the last, and only time, I heard this piece performed live, was back in Manchester with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra many, many years ago! Just like the Houston Civic Symphony has drafted in Houston’s own local brass band, so did the Manchester Symphony. I must be getting old as I cannot remember which Brass Band the players came from but I do remember it was an absolutely wonderful performance. Last night was the first rehearsal with Bob Walp before he lets us loose on the HCO next week!
The Houston Civic Symphony is in its forty-ninth season, offering superb concerts through the year. Their website is civicsymphony.org. I look forward to seeing you at the performance on the 6th March.
Regards
Darren