AS temperatures soared into the 90's in central St Albans last Tuesday, we were treated to a spectacular trumpet fanfare by well-known local professional trumpeter Derek Glendinning and his talented son, Thomas.

The Glendinning family can boast a 60-year connection with Welwyn Garden City Wind Band, and Derek has taught brass instruments in Hertfordshire schools for more than 20 years.

He also plays a prominent role in Herts Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as making guest appearances on special occasions, such as his stunning performance recently of Let The Bright Seraphim for St Albans Chamber Opera.

If a work is to be performed in the St Albans area requiring solo trumpet, I've noticed Derek is invariably there, fulfilling the role with style and aplomb.

So it was on Tuesday, in the Marlborough Road Methodist Church holiday lunchtime series, a concert not to be missed.

Here, the audience had a chance to experience Derek go solo par excellence, in Sonata For Two Trumpets by Petronio Francheschini. He was joined by Thomas, who graduated in music in 1994.

"Petronio Franceschini was one of a group of composers associated with the Basilica in Bologna during the latter part of the 17th Century," Derek explained.

"He greatly developed the use of the natural trumpet in ensemble works, introducing more fanfare-type features and also minor harmonies to add contrast.

"This was a great achievement, especially when you bear in mind the fact the trumpets of that time had no valves - they were not invented until around 1830."

It was great to hear this impressive work performed for the audience with interesting imitative phrases introduced by Derek, and then echoed by Thomas in style with excellent tone quality, complete with the fanfares and minor key effects in quieter passages.

Later in the programme, we enjoyed Vivaldi's Concerto in C for Two Trumpets, a veritable tour de force.

It opened with stunning fanfare, followed by the composer's characteristic gift for melody, combined with compelling rhythmic vitality well-realised and projected by this stylish duo.

The works were accompanied on the organ by Robin Coxon, who organises the concerts at Marlborough Road.

He also gave us some attractive short organ solos. I particularly liked Sortie, a jaunty work by French composer Marcel Dupr.

Thomas Glendinning, a budding counter tenor as well as trumpeter, currently holds a singing post at Durham Cathedral.

So it was a delight to hear him sing the solo part in Handel's Eternal Source of Light Divine - with his dad on the trumpet, naturally - earlier in the concert.

There will be another chance to hear Derek Glendinning perform more solo works in the Marlborough Road lunchtime concert series - together with well-known local singer Elizabeth Lane - before the end of the year.

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