“Amboise is the city of brass”: thirty years of brass passion for the Brass band celebrated with six formations and surprising guests.
Beyond the traditional competition, the event dedicated to brass instruments was marked by unexpected guests. Between an Italian military ensemble that plays at a fast pace and the presence of a virtuoso, let’s take a look back at the highlights of this edition. Brass! In Amboise, the passion for the Brass Band (brass ensemble) has lasted for thirty years. This anniversary is celebrated all weekend long with concerts in the streets as well as a competition at the Beaumarchais theatre. No less than six Brass bands participated: three French, including the one from the Tours Conservatory and AToursDeBrass and three English.
Very popular formations in England “
In France, the Brass band is lagging behind England. The first was created in Orléans in 1985. Now the country has about 150. For us, Amboise is important because it is where the first competition in France takes place. The Brass band of the Vienne has already participated five or six times. This participation allows us to have a requirement of preparation for amateur musicians. We rehearse every Wednesday. Our 32 musicians come from all professional backgrounds, including schoolchildren and retirees. The repertoire includes many transcriptions, Anglican anthems, military marches. Gustav Host, known for his work on the planets, composed two suites for military bands that are often performed,” explains the Poitevin conductor Mathias Charton.
He is well aware of the history of these training courses born in England in the middle of the 19th century, which is closely linked to the world of work. Confirmation with the English Witton Albion band, based in the north of England, in Cheshire, near Manchester. To come, they drove fourteen hours by bus. Each village, especially in Yorkshire, had its own set, often financed by a mill, a mine or a company. Or a football club that has entrusted a room to this ensemble to rehearse. This popularity also owes its origin to the instruments, which were inexpensive at the time, and solid. Well, almost…
In Amboise, a musician was unlucky during rehearsals on Saturday, at 9 a.m., a little before the competition. A tuba player broke a slide… But fortunately, the French, fair play, helped him. Stéphane Gaudet, manufacturer and repairer, repaired this instrument in his nearby workshop on rue Bretonneau. His father Jacques Gaudet was one of the founders of the event with Pascal Caraty. Stéphane Gaudet is also in charge of the event’s graphics. “What a great pleasure to see this festival off to a good start,” says Jacques Gaudet. “My dream now would be to have a brass training at the music school, the arts center. The young musicians in Laure Thibault’s class were also introduced to judging the quality of an ensemble during the audience prize awarded on Saturday afternoon. Amboise is the city of brass instruments,” admits Véronique Barroué-Lebrun, president of the association. This edition was also marked by the surprise participation of musicians from the Bersaglieri, a corps of the Italian army. In fatigues and feathers in their hats, they played on the Place Michel-Debré, at a run. The other surprise, internal, was the participation of Sergei Nakariakov, the “Paganini of the trumpet” for several pieces at the opening of the gala concert with the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, a British group ranked among the twenty best brass bands in the world. A great way to celebrate a thirty-year-old.
Withington bows out with a Russian flourish
The musical partnership between Allan Withington and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band came to an end in France with a memorable musical flourish.
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band has bid a fond farewell to professional MD, Allan Withington following a memorable weekend together at the French Open Championships in Amboise.
The band travelled to the Loire Valley for the competition, securing the top section title accolade but also providing a Gala Concert programme where they accompanied the remarkable Russian trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov.
Musicianship and friendship
It brought to an end a five year musical partnership that the band stated was, “underpinned by musicianship and friendship”, and which saw the Yorkshire band secure contesting success and artistic acclaim for its performances.
It saw the band qualify for the Albert Hall National Finals in 2021 and 2024, as well as return to the British Open in the same year and make five appearances together at the Brass in Concert Championship.
Passion and integrity
In highlighting that link based on “musicianship and friendship”, the band stated: “Allan has shared his musical passion and integrity wholeheartedly and every musician that has played under him has felt the respect, warmth and wisdom he exudes.
On the contest stage, even when the results did not deliver, the music always spoke, leaving audiences appreciative and fulfilled. And that was always the goal… play with passion.
The last few years of working with Allan have been inspiring and one of the most important musical chapters of the band’s history, where it has pushed the boundaries of music and programming, especially at Brass in Concert.
The last few years of working with Allan have been inspiring and one of the most important musical chapters of the band’s history, where it has pushed the boundaries of music and programmingCarlton Main Frickley Colliery
They added: “Thank you from everyone at Team Frickley to Allan and his wonderful wife Kirsten, who has also been such an integral part of our team, and always will be.
But we will leave the final word with ‘il Maestro’ himself. In his departing words to the band, Allan said: “Thanks everyone for a great show of spirit during the weekend. It was a privilege to have been part of your story for the last few years. Good luck in the future and hang on to your passion.”