Entertainment: Joe Fuller

Under-25 year olds can go free to see the
Royal College of Music Wind Ensemble

I am a fan of anything slightly different to mix up the classical soundworld a bit and increase the sense of variety in concerts. Generally consisting of a combination of horns, bassoons, oboe and clarinet, the sound of a wind ensemble fits the bill by being alliteratively bombastic and brassy.

The striking, lusty sound and bold volume of wind instruments might appeal more to younger listeners too. This performance is part of the Dome’s Coffee Concert series, in association with Strings Attached, which takes part in the brilliant CAVATINA scheme. CAVATINA subsidises the attendance of young people aged 8 to 25 inclusive in chamber music concerts around the country. The number of free tickets is limited so you need to request them in person at the Dome’s ticket office at 29 New Road, Brighton.

The varied programme opens with Leoš Janáček’s ‘Mládí’ (Youth) sextet, a more strange, modern piece than the rest being performed. Janáček saw the youth aspect of the piece as relating to childhood memories, which is musically reflected in occasional, fond plaintive moments of recollection, while the third movement recalls a tune the composer heard as a boy.

The wind ensemble will then take on Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no. 8, arranged by Robin O’Neill. Known as the ‘Pathetique’ sonata, it is one of Beethoven’s most popular compositions and helped create a reputation for him as a composer rather than just a superb pianist. It will be interesting to see how Beethoven’s brisk, legato style (where notes run smoothly into each other) will be transposed for wind and I can’t wait to hear how it all comes together.

Richard Strauss’ Serenade in E-Flat Major, Op. 7 is a delightful one movement piece, sounding more grounded than his later experiments. As Chris Darwin writes in his programme notes however, “Strauss relishes the range of timbres that different combinations of the instruments can produce: each phrase in the first 24 bars uses a different set of instruments before they all combine for the first time at bar 24”.

Mozart’s Serenade No. 12 in C Minor, K. 388 will end the concert, which was written in a time when a wind band was generally used as background music for socialising. The piece is technically dazzling but can be enjoyed on many levels and leads to a glorious major crescendo.

The format at coffee concerts is informal and relaxed; you often get the chance to meet performers, and cakes and beverages are available at the interval and before the show. If you want to try something new, this should be a culturally bracing, melodic and unique way to spend a Sunday morning.

Royal College of Music Wind Ensemble, Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Sunday 24th January, 11am, £16-£18.50, free for 8 to 25 year olds inclusive (read more above), 01273 709709 and www.brightondome.org