Bring out the top brass

ST David’s Cathedral in Hobart will resound with the sounds of a brass ensemble from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fabian Russell tonight.

The ensemble will consist of two euphoniums, two tubas, three trombones, four horns and four trumpets.

TSO principal bass trombone Mitchell Nissen said the concert would begin on an upbeat note with Gegensatze by Australian composer Paul Terracini. “It’s a bit of a party piece,” Nissen said. “There are some funky bass parts, and it motors along at a very upbeat tempo.”

On a more sombre note will be Nelson’s Theme and White Birds Fly Over the Valley of the Somme from The Glass Soldier by Nigel Westlake, which refers to loss of life during World War I.

Nissen said one of the highlights for him would be an arrangement of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.

“The orchestral version was performed by the orchestra last year and in this arrangement for brass ensemble we get to play some of the more fun and exciting parts normally played by the strings,” he said. “There are joyous parts such as Juliet’s ball and when the two lovers kiss, and the low brass has the ominous sound of the Montagues and Capulets.”

Nissen is also looking forward to Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral from Lohengrin by Wagner.

“It’s quite appropriate for the location,” he said.

“The chorales build and build in intensity and we become like a living, breathing organ. It’s ethereal, magical, triumphal and uplifting all at the same time.”

Also on the program will be the upbeat Symphony in Brass by Ewazen, who Nissen said was well known for his writing for low brass.

The concert will also include The Rose of No Man’s Land by Caddigan, Last Rose of Summer by Bunting, and Spells: for Brass Ensemble by Melbourne composer Harry Sdraulig, who took part in the TSO composers’ school.

The concert will be at St David’s Cathedral in Hobart at 7.30pm tonight.

Tickets are $50 for adults, $45 concession and students, and $20 for children, available from tso.com.au