McEwan Hall Centenary Recital

No programme notes.
The McEwan Hall has just celcbrated its 100th birthday.  It was officially opened on 3 December 1897 with a ceremony at which the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon William McEwan, who had financed the building of the Hall.  This anniversary was marked, 100 years to the day, on Wednesday of this week when the winter graduations were held in the Hall.  Wonderbrass participated in these ceremonies, adding an additional je ne said quoi to the music.  We thought that it would be fitting to offer also a concert of festive music to mark this anniversary.  Much of the music is well-known (most pieces are arrangements) and all are intended to conjure up a spirit of festivity.  This is a marvellous Victorian hall of tremendous character, with an acoustic to match.  Its organ - if a little idiosyncratic - is a great ceremonial instrument, and it too possesses a strong personality.  We hope that the combination of Hall, organ and brass will inspire an appropriately celebratory mood.   JK.