Page 9 - Final_RPS Awards 2020 Media Coverage Book
P. 9
5 June 2020
THE ARTS COLUMN
Richard Morrison
Inspired by the top brass
The venerable Royal Philharmonic Society, which once commissioned Beethoven, has moved
with the times. It is revamping its awards to include a new category, nominated by the public,
for “the most inspirational musical achievements during lockdown”. You have until August 26
to make your mind up (see royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk for details), but I already have my
candidate.
The composer Andrew Wainwright had the brilliant idea of pulling together the world’s top
brass-band players for an online performance, and his Virtual All-Star Band’s scintillating romp
through Grigoras Dinicu’s Hora staccato was released this week on YouTube in aid of the
World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 relief fund.
Britain’s brass bands, like our choirs, have been silenced by the pandemic. I grew up playing
second trombone in a band conducted by my dad, and know how much pride and joy brass
bands bring to communities going through grim times.
Let’s hope it’s only a few months before the fabulous musicians of such legendary bands as
Black Dyke, Cory, Grimethorpe Colliery, and Brighouse and Rastrick can shake the rafters in
the same room again.
