Stunning virtuosity from Bone Afide at Regents Hall, supported by trombonists currently studying at the Royal College of Music
Trombone quartet Bone Afide hosted a concert at Regent’s Hall, Oxford Street, London alongside 18 other young trombonists studying at the Royal College of Music on Saturday night, including the premiere of a new work by composer Gavin Higgins.
Gavin Higgins four movement work ‘Black Sun’ was a standout moment in the programme, delighting with story, virtuosity and introspection, and spotlighting Higgins trademark colourful sound world, one that excites both musicians and audience member alike. This, like the Ivors award-winning composer’s Horn Concerto, is concise material, and adds to a growing reputation of being something of a guarantee on any running order — a contemporary classical music composer whose consistently delivers music that arrests, challenges and entertains. ‘Black Sun’ was made possible by the support of the Vaughan Williams Foundation and the Hinrischen Trust.
Elsewhere in the programme, this was most evident in their performance of Callum Au’s instantly likeable and sometimes fiendish Four Dances. Far and away, Isobel Daws solo in Bluebells of Scotland rightfully cast shade on everyone and everything else. A stunning performance.
The bold, fearless members of the trombone quartet Bone Afide are a revelation. Full of energy and power on stage, their articulation is crisp, their ensemble taut and their stamina immense. They combine nonchalance with light-touch vulnerability, each player bringing their own personality to the stage giving the group an almost rock star quality. Their unfussy approach to performance makes their technical mastery and expressivity all the more alluring.
