Alan Barnes Octet present Copperfield

Alan Barnes – saxophone and clarinet, Bruce Adams – trumpet and flugelhorn, Mark Nightingale – trombone, Robert Fowler – saxophone and clarinet, Karen Sharp - saxophone and clarinet, David Newton – piano, Simon Thorpe – bass, Clark Tracey – drums.

SUITE MUSIC INDEED!

Copperfield is a musical suite based on the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, written by Alan Barnes to depict the many vivid and memorable characters in the book. Alan gave credit to Mark Nightingale for his help in editing down the original score and quipped that he did such a thorough job that they required a skip to take all the snippets away!
I’m not going any further with this review without stating that the evening was A MAGICAL TRIUMPH, hugely enjoyed by a full house who would have loved to hear it all over again and many of whom gladly purchased the CD of it to do so.
The suite had fourteen parts and in between each Alan would briefly update us on the progress of the story, read us a very short quote and then comment on it in his inimitably witty way before the Octet illustrated the characters musically. Their ensemble playing as well as their solos were “word perfect” with exemplary musicianship making the most of Alan’s brilliant arrangements. The “power behind the throne” – David, Simon and Clark – were thoroughly impressive in their role, David and Simon also contributing excellent solos and Clark laying down a plush carpet of sound that was immensely and appropriately supportive throughout.
For those familiar with the novel, I will give you the titles of the fourteen parts, with some comments on most of them:
Copperfield Theme, followed by Mr Peggotty’s Boat House: the moaning Mrs Gummage excellently represented by Mark’s “unhappy” trombone and Bruce’s trumpet screaming abuse!
Barkis is Willin’: a superb bass solo from Simon,
Creakle and Tungay: Alan described this as “a blues with a latin inflection” which included a sinuous baritone solo from Karen ending with Bruce and her “talking “ to each other.
Tommy Traddles’ Skeletons: drawn dancing by Copperfield’s school friend whenever anything went wrong; Robert’s clarinet, together with Simon’s bass and Alan could be said to have “got the joint jumpin’” on this number which ended with an “almost ragtime” solo from David, followed by Murdstone and Grinby’s.
Mr Dick Flies His Kite: outstanding ensemble work with Bruce (flugelhorn) and Mark representing the kite taking off, soaring high and fluttering back to earth, followed by Mr Micawber.
Little Em’ly: the adopted orphan’s wanting to become a “lady” was represented by a klezmer-influenced piece of yearning emotions giving solo opportunities to almost everybody, followed by Steerforth.
Uriah Heep: Alan used his bass clarinet for the clammy-handed, oily Heep. Clark used mainly tom-toms and cymbals for an inspired solo, followed by Dora and Jip.
Agnes: the one that Copperfield should have married all along and now does; a beautiful and tender ballad shared around the Octet, including a heartfelt solo from Karen.
A New Life: loud, fast, upbeat and optimistic because the baddies have gone to Australia and the goodies are very happy at home……
……. and the audience was overjoyed to have heard the musical version of the story, with outstanding musicians playing Alan’s brilliant arrangements in between his incomparable compering. A Happy Christmas indeed.

Photos from the event