An empty stage and ethereal music coming from the back of the hall was the unusual, but captivating opening for the first concert in the new Peak Music season, featuring the trombone quartet Bones Apart.
Fittingly, for an all-female group, the evening’s programme celebrated influential women throughout the ages, be they composers, artists or historical figures. The introductory piece, by Hildegard von Bingen, was written in the 12th Century and, as the performance progressed, the music gradually moved into the modern era.
A pair of very different compositions, one from the 17th Century by Henry Purcell and one written by band member Helen Vollam, celebrated Queen Boudica, scourge of the Romans. The latter piece was notable for the range of sounds produced by the instruments, including an imitation of a flute!
A lively and virtuosic suite by Camilla de Rossi was followed by three pieces by the famous French Boulanger sisters. In the last of these, Cortège, the bass trombone of Sarah Williams was very much to the fore.
The second half of the programme was extremely varied, with jazz, blues and contemporary popular music influences becoming more prominent, including Bones Apart versions of Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Melba Liston. On a couple of occasions the sound was so rich that you could have been listening to a big band.
The finale comprised of three songs from the 1953 film Calamity Jane, including the lyrical ballad Once I Had a Secret Love, the thigh-slapping I Just Blew in from the Windy City and the rollicking Deadwood Stage, which led to deservedly rapturous applause.
It was an evening of fine musicianship, which you would expect form a quartet composed of such acclaimed individuals, but also warmth, humour and some interesting insights into the women celebrated in the programme. The audience response was generally one of surprise at the range of the music and admiration for the musicians playing such physically-demanding instruments.
A comment from one new audience member sums it up perfectly. “We all agreed that the trombone players were simply magnificent. The range of tones from soft and gentle to triumphant and thrilling was marvellous and the variety of pieces so well chosen. What a lovely evening. I look forward to many more.”