The Edinburgh festival 2004 -- Reviews -- Music -- (B) -- 2 out of 50

(B) 2 out of 50

Rating Guide
None = Unmissable

= Unwatchable
Page number refers to the Fringe programme

Daniel Burdick, Tuba (Page 97)
Drams

1 to survive the heat and cramped space!
Music Music Deep River (Negro Spiritual); Eric Ewazen: Sonata for Tuba and Piano-Andante con moto; Shostakovich: The Limpid StreamOp.39 -Adagio; Dry Bones (Negro Spiritual); Edward Gregson: Tuba Concerto; Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel? (Negro Spiritual).
Musicians Dr. Daniel Burdick (tuba); Thomas Laing-Reilly (piano and organ)
Venue St. Cuthbert's Parish Church (Venue 122)
Address 15 Lothian Road
Reviewer Nick Scott

Daniel Burdick

Of all the brass instruments, the tuba is probably the least understood by composers in general (and, I fear, by some musicians as well). True, Vaughan Williams, Stravinsky, Richard Strauss and Prokofiev - not forgetting Wagner (who not only designed the instruments, but used them to great effect in the The Ring Cycle) - understood the potential of the tuba more than others. Indeed, the word "tuba" is often used as a generic term for any bass brass instrument excluding the trombone; and sadly, it remains a fact, that to the average listener, the "tuba" contributes no more to the orchestral texture than "doubling" the bass-line. Nothing is further from the truth, as last night's concert proved.

There were some inacuracies between the Fringe Brochure and what was actually performed - for what we actually got was an amalgam of music and poetry. Entitled "Live Oak, with Moss - An Evening of Gay Love Poetry and Music (the title of which comes from Walt Whitman's sequence of twelve poems), the evening consisted of a selection the poems from the sequence, which alternated with the musical elements of the programme.

Unfortunately, the performance was nearly fifteen minutes late in starting - due, I suspect, to the late arrival of expected members of the audience.

It took a while for one's ear to become accustomed to the resonant church acoustic; and as a result, some of Dr. Burdick's initial vocal introductions were lost.

But Maestro Daniel Burdick made the tuba come alive, as he expertly demonstrated the instrument's range of "emotions"- from the lively Allegro deciso of Edward Gregson's Tuba Concerto to the soulful and heart-rending selection of traditional Negro Spirituals - notably in the unaccompanied solo transcription of Deep River. The Andante con moto - Allegro vivace from Eric Ewazen's Sonata for Tuba and Piano was spoiled by the resonant acoustic - with much of the musical artistry and precision lost as a result. In complete antithesis, Shostakovich's Adagio from The Limpid Stream Op.39 meandered along nicely with its plaintive melody.

With accompanist Thomas Laing-Reilly moving to the organ, the rarely performed spiritual, Dry Bones (words from Ezekiel 37) served as a contrast to the penultimate work in the programme, the Gregson Tuba Concerto. Dating from 1976, this was the perfect vehicle to demonstrate the tuba's versatility. This impressive work allowed the instrument to shine throughout - especially in the last movement (Allegro giocoso), with its frenzied finale. The programme ended with another Spiritual, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?

Dr Daniel Burdick

Empathy between accompanist Thomas Laing-Reilly and soloist was apparent throughout - all the more impressive due to the fact that they met only two days ago!

Solo tuba music is somewhat esoteric - and this was reflected by the rather sparse audience. Perhaps a larger audience would have been attracted, had the performance not taken place so early on in the Festival.

Dr. Daniel Burdick is Associate Professor of Low Brass at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He has performed with the Canadian Brass, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Keith Brion's New Sousa Band and with professional brass quintets.

© Nick Scott 5 August 2004 Published on www.edinburghguide.com

Band on the Break (Page 92)
Drams

One (while you're queueing: it will put you in the mood)
Performers The Magnets
Venue Pod Deco (Venue 75
Address 7 Clerk St
Reviewer Jonas Green

The Magnets

A capella groups seem to be a growing trend, with several on this year's Fringe. The format is easy on the ear, it's cheap to stage, and there's little to go wrong provided they stay in tune. So what's different about The Magnets? Apart, that is, from the fact that they have appeared as a support act to Tom Jones - which gives you some idea of the musical genre to expect in their choice of numbers.

What really makes them worth your attention is their 'rhythm section', which simply means two out of these six guys. Big Colin lays down a deep sonorous bass, but the unique and astonishing contribution comes from spiky-haired Andy Frost. He sounds like a whole percussion section, ranging through standard drum kit, beatbox and scratch sounds, combining syncopated rhythmic riffs with a steady beat that most drummers would envy.

For their first few numbers I could not believe that they weren't using a backing track. However in a virtuoso solo spot mid-show, Andy demonstrates that it's all done by his mouth - amplified of course; this style would not work without close microphones and good mixing. All this leaves the other members of the group to take it in turns on melody and harmony, with occasional help in the form of echo effects.

In their fast-moving hour-long set, the numbers that stood out include their opening You gotta do better, Satisfy me, then a witty take on Boy Bands, and finally a selection of standards that had the audience on their feet. The patter between numbers was slightly lame, but that apart, this is a slick and entertaining show.

© Jonas Green. 7 August 2004. Published on www.edinburghguide.com

Run 4-29 August Seealso the Magnets website www.themagnets.com

(B) 2 out of 50


	Edinburgh Film \| Edinburgh Theatre \| Edinburgh Festival \| Edinburgh Venues \| Photos Edinburgh Accommodation : Self-catering \| Hotels \| Guesthouses \| B&Bs \| Serviced Apartments \| Hostels Copyright © EdinburghGuide.com 1998-2008, Edinburgh, Scotland.