200 years of iconic waterway history was brought to life at King Georges Hall in Blackburn on the weekend with the world premiere of 'Super Slow Way: A Rhapsody to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal'.

Massive work

The massive 85 minute work was written by composer by Ian Stephens with an evocative narration by renowned poet Ian McMillan.

It saw a 70-strong Blackburn People's Choir perform alongside 100 local school children, celebrated soprano Amanda Roocroft, cellist Jonathan Aasgaard, tabla player Kuljit Bhamra and the Brighouse & Rastrick Band, all under the baton of Clark Rundell.

Memorable afternoon

And with the project gaining extensive local, regional and national media coverage, it was little wonder Producer Ian Brownbill told 4BR of his delight after the premiere received widespread acclaim from audience, participants and critics alike.

"Only now I've just about come down from a truly memorable afternoon,"he said. "I'm sure everyone involved and especially those who came and enjoyed the premiere won't forget it for a very long time."

Such was the demand for tickets that the start was delayed by 20 minutes — although after 200 years of slow motion travel from the heart of Blackburn to Liverpool that was mere blip on the canal's remarkable time-line.

200 years of history

The work depicted two centuries of community life alongside the canal in 21 movements — linked together by Ian McMillan's poetry; from moments of reflection by the waterside and families from far-away places arriving and finding new homes, to the ambitious Victorian 'fat cats' and pioneers who sought their fortune in creating the Victorian version of the 'super highway'.

Pride

And Ian, who played a pivotal role in bringing the equally evocative 'King Cotton' to the stage almost a decade ago working with playwright Jimmy McGovern, couldn't hold back his pride by the outcome.

"One of the real pleasures was putting all the youngsters on stage with world class artists, choirs and one of the finest brass bands in the business.

It was a combination that worked so well. Ian Stephens is a superb composer and I hope he can be persuaded to write for brass bands in the future."

Only now I've just about come down from a truly memorable afternoon. I'm sure everyone involved and especially those who came and enjoyed the premiere won't forget it for a very long timeIan Brownbill

Legacy

Hopefully so indeed, especially as Ian also revealed that a connection is already in place: "His daughter plays with St Helens Youth and cellist Jonathan Aasgaard's son plays with Greenalls Band — so you never know."

As for the future legacy of the work, Ian hoped that more public performances are planned for 2017 as well as a potential recording.

"That is now something we have to look at very closely.

It was such a thrill to work with artists such Amanda Roocroft (shown above in the performance) and the truly superb Ian McMillan, and I must give a personal thank you to Brighouse & Rastrick who fully supported the project and performed so magnificently. They provided 85 minutes of outstanding musicianship that locked everything together."