Described by BBC Music Magazine as “easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain”, Onyx Brass continues to be the leading light presenting concerts in an entertaining and articulate style that has become the group’s trademark. The players are all principals of top London orchestras and have recorded and performed with many of the world’s top artists.
City of Bristol Choir is delighted to be joining them for this concert of thrilling and celebratory across the ages. From Handel’s The King shall rejoice, written for the coronation of George II, to the vibrant fanfare of Praise him with trumpets composed for the 500th anniversary of Hampton Court Palace in 2015 by the Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir. The concert opens with that most iconic of royal anthems, Hubert Parry’s I was glad.
A composer with strong ties to Bristol, Philip Wilby is one of the UK’s leading composers of brass and choral music. His music is played by ensembles all over the world. We celebrate his 70th birthday year with two exciting works for choir, organ, brass and percussion.
Born in Lebanon, Naji Hakim took over from Olivier Messaien as organist of church of La Trinité in Paris. His music combines the devotional and mystical with rhythmical flamboyance and joie de vivre.
After enjoying a glass of wine during the interval, audience members will be treated to a performance of the uplifting Winchester Te Deum by the choir’s Patron John Rutter, and a few numbers from Onyx Brass’s latest CD releases Fanfare and Onyx noir– a recording of new pieces by the UK’s top jazz composers.
Feel the excitement escalating as we kick start the year with this fantastic Tour de Brass.