Braid, brass bravo
Todd MacLean, The Guardian, Published on September 19, 2014
Last weekend, an enthusiastic crowd of music lovers took their seats in UPEI’s Dr. Steel Recital Hall for a performance featuring one whom the Canadian press hails as “a jazz genius to call our own.”
Two-time Juno award winner, jazz pianist of the year award winner and SOCAN composer of the year award winner, David Braid, is certainly one of the most renowned pianists in the country, whose musical compositions are enjoyed on international stages the world over.
And last Friday evening, the Toronto-based performer/composer delivered a distinctly enchanting program of pieces, all accompanied by the delightful Maritime Brass Quintet.
Regularly bringing high calibre chamber music to concert halls, churches, festivals and schools around the Maritimes, the Maritime Brass Quintet features Curtis Dietz and Richard Simoneau on trumpet, Gina Patterson on horn and hometown P.E.I. musicians Eric Mathis on trombone and Bob Nicholson, tuba and bass trombone.
The quintet began the evening of music just after 7:30 p.m. as the Dr. Steel Recital Hall was soon encompassed by the round, closely-harmonized methodic bellows of Braid’s piece called Prelude, to commence the concert on a meditative, yet mysterious note.
“I want to thank you in advance for coming out to hear a program of music that you’ve probably never heard before,” Braid said, as he was introduced.
As laughter filled the room, Braid went on to say that appreciation for new and unfamiliar music really does seem to be becoming more of a “rare” thing, and he thanked us for having the courage to listen to something entirely new.
We then received a good taste of the kind of music he was speaking about as Braid and the quintet proceeded into a piece entitled Interior Castles. As its phrases gleamed in melody, danced in rhythm and were folded in thoughtful harmony, while layers of chordal warmth (with muted horns for added effect) were brought forth by the quintet, it was proven immediately to the audience that this “newness” of which Braid speaks was not something to brace oneself for, but rather to simply savour and delight in.
As the first half finished off with Andalusia (a pastoral and triumphant piece with a Spanish flare) and Resolute Bay (an epic, dynamic-filled journey to the Canadian north in winter), the audience was whisked away on many a melodic adventure.
At one point Resolute Bay died down to something so cool, too (in more ways than one): non-note air being blown through all five horns at once, sounding like chilling winter wind through the trees. And as Braid struck with his hand the piano strings inside the Steinway and Sons grand piano, it was as if a big wooden door was slamming in the gusts, its sounds resonating into an abyss of swallowing gale howls.
The second half featured a one-two punch of George Gershwin tunes (Rhapsody in Blue and Porgy and Bess) that were performed brilliantly and such a treat it was to hear them in the chamber orchestra setting.
Braid’s technical skill at the piano especially shone in Rhapsody in Blue as Gershwin’s 1924 masterpiece was executed magnificently by the sextet of musicians.
As the evening finished off with two pieces called Semi and Spirit Dance (along with a short encore piece that combined the soulfulness of Ray Charles with the melodic work of Chopin), what became all the more clear was that this ethereal, genre-less, soulful, absorbing, almost at times trance-like music could win over many a listener that is open to new music.
For more on Braid and his unique gifts of sound, visit www.davidbraid.com.
Next week: It’s time for the 19th International Shellfish Festival.
Todd MacLean is a local freelance writer and musician. If you have a comment or suggestion for a review, you can get in touch with him at tmaclean@theguardian.pe.ca or at 626-1242. But he won’t be offended if you don’t.
Musique Royale presents
the MARITIME BRASS QUINTET
in concert
at Memory Lane Heritage Village, Lake Charlotte
on September 7th at 5:00 PM
The Maritime Brass Quintet brings the highest calibre chamber music to concert halls, churches, festivals, and schools across the Maritimes. The group is comprised of five of Canada’s finest brass players: Curtis Dietz and Richard Simoneau, trumpet; Gina Patterson, French horn; Eric Mathis, trombone; and Bob Nicholson, tuba and bass trombone.
Maritime Brass Quintet members have studied throughout North America and performed or held positions with many of the world’s leading ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony, Toronto Symphony, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony, and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. They also have experience playing in numerous smaller groups and ensembles, including Foothills Brass, Northumberland Brass, Honolulu Brass Quintet, the Jive Kings, and The Canadian Brass.
Since forming in the spring of 2011, the Maritime Brass Quintet
embarked on a busy concert schedule and has been featured guest at many
of the region’s well-known concert series and performance venues,
including the Scotia Festival of Music, the Music Room, Acadia
University, University of Prince Edward Island, Université de Moncton,
and First Baptist Church, Halifax. They frequently collaborate with some
of the region’s finest musicians including Paul Halley and the King’s
College Chapel Choir, Nick Halley and Capella Regalis, Jeff Joudrey and
Halifax Camerata, and in recital with Mark Duggan at
the Scotia Festival of Music.
Information for the Maritime Brass Quintet concert and optional dinner is as follows:
Friday, September 7 at 5:00 pm – Memory Lane Heritage Village
5435 Clam Harbour Beach Road
Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia
Tickets and Information: (902) 845-1937, info@heritagevillage.ca, or www.heritagevillage.ca
Tickets are $25 for just concert, and $50 for concert and dinner.
ABOUT MUSIQUE ROYALE
Musique Royale is celebration of Nova Scotia’s musical heritage. Since 1985, they have brought performances of early and traditional music to settings of historic and cultural significance throughout the province. From the rich farmland in the Annapolis Valley to the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes, Musique Royale celebrates the music of our roots with performances by renowned early music specialists from the local and national concert stage. From their home base at the historic St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg, Musique Royale will visit over 20 communities throughout Nova Scotia this season. This Festival is made possible by the generous contributions of the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage, the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Lloyd Carr Harris Foundation, Music Nova Scotia, St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg, Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, season sponsors, corporate sponsors, committed volunteers, and all patrons.
Musique Royale is happy to provide further information on their concerts and artists for use in media outlets, and to coordinate interviews.
Mailing List & Cecilia Retreat Reservations
Barbara Butler | barbara.butler@ns.sympatico.ca
Box Office & General Enquiries
Ruth McConnell | (902) 634-9994
www.musiqueroyale.com
