In the concert series "Surprising Encounters" Brassband Rijnmond gave a beautiful concert last Sunday March 13 in Tilburg Concert Hall together with Harmonie Sint Gregorius from Haaren. Both orchestras were conducted by conductor Chris Derikx.
In this beautiful hall with excellent acoustics, after more than four "dark Covid months" with all the limitations, it was fantastic to be able to play in front of the public again. This 'spring feeling' was present in every musician and also clearly noticeable in the hall. The music was played with full dedication and at a high level.
Harmonie Sint Gregorius opened the concert to a well-filled hall with a varied and innovative program entitled 'Stories and Myths'. One of the highlights was undoubtedly the premiere of 'Morias Enkomion (Praise of Folly)', a beautiful composition for piano and harmony by Harmonie Sint Gregorius own Geert Schrijvers. The soloist was the pianist Claire van Kempen. After the break Brassband Rijnmond presented a program with a Scottish and Irish character. The concert opened with the short, whirling opening piece 'Jig' from Gustav Holst's St. Paul's Suite, in a beautiful arrangement by the band's euphonium player Stefan van der Wilt. The wonderful test piece "The World Rejoicing" by composer Edward Gregson was continued. A very challenging work with beautiful solos, melodies and dazzling highlights. Both Malcolm Arnold's 'Four Scottish Dances' and Bill Whelan's 'Riverdance' were highly appreciated by the audience and were rewarded with prolonged applause and a standing ovation.
Afterwards, the conductor and musicians were enthusiastic and unanimous about the feeling after the performance. "This is what we do it for" and "this is what makes music so beautiful" were frequently heard statements. The audience and Brassband Rijnmond got what they had come for and returned home satisfied after a great musical afternoon.
Brassband Rijnmond would like to thank the Surprising Encounters Foundation for the honorable invitation, the perfect organization and the opportunity to give a concert in the beautiful Concert Hall in Tilburg. Brassband Rijnmond is committed to the vision and efforts of Surprising Encounters Foundation to promote and develop harmony, fanfare and brass band music.
