Leyland returned tired but elated by the fabulous reception the band received in Austria, and were also pleased to read the Innsbruck concert review posted by Tobias Bauer:-

Concert Review:

Leyland Band, Innsbrucker Promenadenkonzerte, Austria, Friday 28th July

 

Many of the audience would have been lucky to be able to see the stage, as Leyland Band packed out a courtyard full of people to enjoy their performance as part of the Innsbrucker Promenadenkonzerte series. Speaking to organiser Alois Schöpf after the concert who described the festival as one which is ‘becoming Europe’s leading brass music festival’, it was estimated that there was at least 1,500 people in attendance as the sun set over the courtyard of the Imperial Palace.

Leyland Band, known for entertaining concerts, had been invited back following their debut performance in 2015 where they were the first British brass band to perform at this concert series.

Audience Ovations

In keeping with tradition, Leyland began their set in Innsbruck square where rousing music such as ‘Death or Glory’ helped to attract people into the courtyard where the formal concert began. The audience were listening attentively and laughing along with Musical Director Thomas Wyss who addressed them in their native tongue. An epic, the programme consisted of over 25 items divided into themes with four encores performed as the crowd simply would not leave.

Outstanding Soloists

The audience were particularly receptive towards the virtuosity of Leyland’s leading soloists. Iain Culross opened soloist proceedings with a whirlwind rendition of ‘Carnival of Venice’, which was rivalled by a technical masterclass from James McLeod performing Monti’s ‘Czardas’. As the programme progressed, lighter music allowed the setting to become more relaxed to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. John Doyle switched between Flugelhorn and Trumpet in order to deliver an outstanding rendition of ‘People’, dedicated to his wife Rebecca Doyle, Solo Horn, with the concert falling on their wedding anniversary. This solo had previously been performed by Maurice Murphy with the Leyland Band in a bygone era. Eb Tuba Chris Doran and Percussionist Ben Thomas also had the audience foot tapping to features in ‘The Sun Has Got His Hat On’ and ‘Ol’ Man River’.

 

An enjoyable evening packed full of entertainment; I hope to see the Leyland Band performing here again in the future!

 

Tobias Bauer