Christopher’s latest work for brass band, Elixir of Youth was premiered at St Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield on Saturday night under the baton of Philip Harper. The title of the work reflects the nature of the band that was put together for the event; an all-star youth band comprising a selection of the country’s young brass banding talent, with the term Elixir referring here to the everlasting talent seen in young brass players throughout the United Kingdom’s brass bands and bands’ and teachers abilities to keep producing such high quality musicians for the banding movement.
The event, organised by RNCM students Jonny Bates and Josh Cirtina, was a charity event with all proceeds going toward Help for Heroes. Also featuring Richard Marshall as guest soloist, Christopher’s work wasn’t the only premiere performance, with further works by Jonny himself, and a premiere of Planets Rising from Nic Mills.
Elixir of Youth, structured in three sections, is a showcase for band with a heroic opening where fanfare-like gestures in the cornets and trombones juxtapose rapid euphonium and baritone runs, alongside sweeping horns and percussion effects. As the piece progresses, a grove is introduced – just in the tubas at first, accompanied by a hi-hat - before spreading through the band, definitely stuff to tap your toes to! The middle, slower section of the work sees both flugel and cornet solos, with additional inputs from the euphonium and solo horn before a climax and return to the tempo and music of the opening section. A rousing close concludes the work where all of the work’s themes are interweaved to create a sense of power, unity and grandeur; an Elixir of Youth.