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MNOZIL BRASS - an appreciation.
When I was twelve years old, growing up in Bournemouth I was invited by a brass band enthusiast to listen to a band concert by the Black Dyke Mills Band at Bournemouth Winter Gardens. I still remember every piece they played, all the soloists and the feeling of elation at the sound. Many years have passed and many great musical moments are 'under the bridge', but just over twelve months ago I heard my first Mnozil Brass concert and I suspect that in many years from now those staggering, astonishing memories will be just as vivid.
This is no ordinary brass ensemble, and these seven guys are no ordinary musicians. Anyone who has seen this group will know my understatement, those who haven't may not get past the name before confusion sets in. Mnozil; my spell checker doesn't get close, but just say it as you see it and you'll be ok. The live experience of their music has a spontaneity and vibrancy that will take London's R.A.H. by storm at that happy day in October. I'm excited for all you who haven't heard them. Without doubt they will be household names here soon after. They are 'unique' and in a world where this word in so overused , I must emphasise again this word. Mnozil Brass are fantastic brass players whose appeal crosses every stylistic border, from band music to orchestral brass, folk music, jazz and musical comedy of the most brilliant side splitting kind. I'd heard of their reputation in German speaking countries for some years, almost like a well -kept secret, but what I wasn't prepared for when I heard them for the first time in Mannheim in 2003 was that I would find myself visually and aurally transfixed from beginning to end and didn't want the concert to finish. This from a seasoned 'old' pro is pretty remarkable. One minute they were staring deadpan at the audience, then something funny would happen and the audience were laughing and the deadpan expressions continued; then they were hurtling though a well known classic work, 'breaking off' into a crazy jazz -folksy interlude with them all singing and practically dancing, all choreographed to total perfection. Then a beautiful interlude with sensational control leading to something so unbelievably riotous you feared for the hall's construction. As the concert progressed you felt you knew every character and watching their interaction was more engrossing than I'd ever seen on a musical stage, neither had I laughed so hard in a 'concert'. If I'd been alone I'd had been ejected or taken for treatment !! I can describe it a brass opera, or a West End show, but it is also a comedy, but sometimes it's a choral concert, sometimes a virtuoso brass concert, but ALL at the same time! Incredible. It was hard to pick out highlights during two hours of magical entertainment, and eager for more I followed them the next evening to another town 40 miles away where they delivered a totally different knock-out programme , again ALL from memory , the only thing the same was the hairs on the back of my neck, the spontaneous standing ovation and the shaking of heads and laughter in the lobby as the audience made their way home. I'm pleased that since that time they've become good friends of mine but they'll never stop amazing me. You really have to experience it to believe it, and after the stress and drama of the test-piece part of the day there could be nothing finer.
Steven Mead
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