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Holiday Brass concert allows supporting sections to shine

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When it comes to holiday music, it’s almost universally understood that nothing quite declares the festivity of the season as brass instruments. Usually relegated to supporting statements in orchestral scenarios, Christmas music arranged for brass allows them to shine, literally and figuratively.

And, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s “Holiday Brass” in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall, Thursday, did just that. In addition to allowing us to place faces mostly hidden behind string and woodwind sections with the sounds heard, this “Brass” event allowed us a chance to explore and enjoy the vast capabilities of the brass section. Another happy convenience is that the fare doesn’t have to be strictly seasonal in order for festive sounding sounds to provide cheer.

This PBK event found music embracing traditional and seasonal music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to contemporary times, opening with a snappy and brightly done “Fanfare for Christmas.” Continuing in the upbeat mode came Gabrieli’s “Canzon per Sonar in Echo Duodecimi Toni,” during which the brass separated into two sections, standing side by side. The antiphonal effect was highlighted by distinctly and highly articulated playing.

Things settled down a bit with a traditional “Silent Night” that, while lovely in general, was not without bobbles here and there. Along the classical vein, the ensemble offered a stately Polonaise from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve suite.

Still in the world of things classical, the group offered Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” which also turned out to be a particular highlight of the evening. Associated with the orchestral delicacy that surrounds this delicate dance, here we found trombones and a tuba crafting the imagery. One could imagine the fun Disney would have had with this arrangement. It was delightful and well received, which found the red-sock-wearing tuba player curtsying in appreciation.

A Concerto in C Major to two trumpets and strings (obviously modified for brass) of Vivaldi rounded off the classically oriented fare, the remainder of the program consisting of variations on carols and seasonal songs.

Among the lot were a spirited, syncopated and energetic “Of Nights, Lights and Brass,” in celebration of Hanukkah; a lovely “Greensleeves,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Joyeux Noel,” and “Festival Cheer.” A particular favorite, having been a French horn player for lots of years, was the arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” “Festive Cheer” closed the lighthearted program.

The program allowed each section to introduce itself and chat a bit about individual backgrounds, adding personality to the normally anonymous players. Throughout the event, the ensemble displayed bright, mostly note perfect delivery, and musical sensitivities that ranged from whisper soft to full fledged projection.

Benjamin Rous, resident conductor, led the musical festivities with desired restraint, allowing the music and musicians to shine. The audience’s appreciation was rewarded with an encore of a Stan Kenton arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” sending the crowd into the freezing night air warmed by the spirit generated in this “Holiday Brass” event.