A tuba cozily nestling against a drum kit on stage on Thursday night suggested that new sounds might well be afoot. Auckland Philharmonia ’s Colours of Brass had percussionists playing their part, too, with two tabour-like drums underlining the ceremonial grandeur of the opening William Byrd march. Huw Dann, the Auckland Philharmonia’s principal trumpet, was a model MC, his crisp, informative commentary peppered with well-gauged humour, which included recalling the perils of being a trumpeter at a beachside wedding.
While the cathedral acoustics sometimes added undue weight and reverberation to otherwise lively performances, the clean lines of Giovanni Gabrieli’s Sonata pian’ e forte offered a welcome taste of classic Renaissance cool..
