Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music presents a day-long festival next month, with a host of free events and performances from special guests.
Dubbed A Dance with the Devil, the RNCM’s Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival includes a lunchtime concert that gives a nod to rock ‘n’ roll legends Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley, a massed band featuring visiting members of local youth bands and a performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (L’Histoire du soldat), played alongside a screening of R O Blechman’s 1984 Emmy Award-winning animation.
Also taking part in the Royal Northern College of Music festival are the popular Boston Brass quintet performing well-known classical an djazz standards and the RNCM Brass Ensemble.
Speaking about the festival, Nick Thompson, Head of School and artistic director, commented, ‘We’re presenting a festival that explores the theatricality of music, musical genre and the role of the virtuoso within the ensemble. There’ll be fascinating stuff going on throughout the building – both in our venues and via ‘pop-up’ performances in public spaces when you least expect them… ‘Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale forms the centrepiece of the day examining the drama of music, featuring RNCM ensembles alongside special guests Boston Brass (pictured). Expect performances of brilliance, artistry and imagination. And be prepared to dance with the Devil as we take a trip through music and the macabre.’
So what’s on at the RNCM Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival: A Dance with the Devil?
Highlights include:
12.15pm – 1.15pm // RNCM Theatre
MYSTERIES OF THE MACABRE
György Ligeti (arr Howarth) Mysteries of the Macabre
David Lang Are You Experienced?
Michael Daugherty Dead Elvis
Jasper de Waal, Nick Thompson conductors
Dominic Longhurst trumpet
James Gourlay tuba
Edoardo Casali bassoon
Free admission, no ticket required
2.15pm – 2.35pm // RNCM Concert Hall
MASSED BAND PERFORMANCE
Stephen McNeff Ghosts
Mark Heron conductor
With players from:
Derbyshire City and County Youth Wind Band
Bolton School Senior Concert Band
Oldham Council Music Service Youth Wind Band
Free admission, no ticket required
3.15pm – 3.45pm // RNCM Concert Hall
BOSTON BRASS FAMILY CONCERT
Tickets: Adults £5/Under 16s Free, by ticket only
This event is suitable for children aged 10 and above.
4.15pm – 5pm // Carole Nash Recital Room
RNCM BASSOON ENSEMBLE
Edvard Grieg Holberg Suite
Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina Duo Sonata for two bassoons
Andres Yauri, Stefano Canuti bassoon
Free admission, no ticket required
4.30pm – 5.15pm // RNCM Concert Hall
RNCM BRASS BAND
John Ireland Comedy Overture
Silvestre Revueltas (arr Gourlay) Sensemayá
Judith Bingham Prague
Rubén Fuentes La Bikina (featuring Boston Brass)
David Thornton, James Gourlay conductors
Free admission, no ticket required
6pm – 6.50pm // RNCM Theatre
THE SOLDIER’S TALE FILM WITH LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT
Jasper de Waal conductor
Tickets £10
This film is suitable for all ages.
7.30pm – 9pm // RNCM Concert Hall
BOSTON BRASS WITH RNCM BRASS ENSEMBLE
Joaquín Turina Danza Fantastica
Manuel de Falla Ritual Fire Dance
J S Bach Wachet Auf; Little Fugue
Arthur Pryor Blue Bells of Scotland
Astor Piazzolla Milonga
Billy May Green Hornet
Pablo Beltrán Ruiz Sway
Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol Caravan
Boston Brass:
Jeff Conner, Jose Sibaja trumpet
Chris Castellanos horn
Domingo Pagliuca trombone
Sam Pilafian tuba
Modest Mussorgsky (arr Howarth) Pictures at an Exhibition
James Gourlay conductor
RNCM Brass Ensemble
Boston Brass
Tickets £12
When does A Dance with the Devil take place at the Royal Northern College of Music?
The RNCM’s Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival: A Dance with the Devil takes place on Sunday 22 April, running from 10.30am until 9pm. Tickets for events may be booked directly via the RNCM Box Office on the RNCM website.
