The Binding of the Wolf

Manger Musikklag
David King & Helge Haukas
GRCD 002
Total playing time: 68.53

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This is a tremendous and highly recommended CD. Recorded in 1992 and 1993, Manger are in great form as they produced a disc that is a good mix of music of the late John Golland, and music from ‘Audabe- Dawn Songs of the Fabulous Birds', composer, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.

The name of David King is easily identifiable within the world of brass bands. The past ten years has seen Professor King (to give him his current title) take musical excellence to a new level with his work at Yorkshire Building Society. Before YBS, David was associated with Kennedy's Swinton (remember them?) and of course Black Dyke Mills. In addition David worked closely with Manger and although some eleven years ago, the works of John Golland are performed on this disc with a presence that brass band audiences have become used too when this man gets his teeth into major works for the idiom.

Three Golland works are performed. Aria.Op 83 is dedicated to Roy & Muriel Newsome and The National Youth Band of Great Britain. The work was composed in response to a commission from the dedicatees with funds from NorthWest Arts Association. The first performance, under Richard Evans was back in 1990, and the work appears every now and again in brass band programmes.

Lasting just over eleven minutes, thirty seconds, it is appealing music. It begins with some beautiful sounds created by cornets, horn, and percussion and as it progresses, a feeling of romance is identifiable. The main part of the piece is extremely strong in melody whilst bringing back some of the opening of the piece.
Golland's Concerto for Band is dedicated to Markus Bach and the Swiss National Youth Band, as part of an ambitious series of commissions. In recent times, when thinking of the word ‘Concerto', closely associated with David King, Bourgeois' Concerto Grosso leaps out immediately. Professor King's understanding of the work of Bourgeois has resulted in a CD of huge distinction. The Golland concerto is another piece of music that was written as a showcase for the Swiss National Band, and this performance by Manger is stunning.

A demonstration of technical brilliance in every section of the band, with some wonderful playing in their solo cadenza parts from euphonium, cornet, horn and trombone. Away from the solo playing, Golland has included some magical lyrical stuff that is pulled off brilliantly by the band. It would be an interesting musical experience to hear Professor King & the modern day YBS perform Golland's Concerto, that before hearing on this disc, I had not come across before.
Perhaps the most identifiable work by Golland is ‘Sounds – Symphonic Study for Brass Band, Op 37'.

Written in 1974, the piece was used at European in 1993, and is certainly a test for any top class band. Sadly, John Golland died within days of the European taking place, but describes this performance of Sounds a few months earlier by Manger as ‘the definitive one', having received a few alterations in the scoring.

This is very much everything connected with ‘sound' as the title suggests, but some of the variations are unusual to say the least, but nevertheless, the listener gets the opportunity to enjoy something atmospheric and it is a high quality performance, that you would not mind hearing on many occasion.

The works of Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen conducted by Helge Haukas are equally as impressive as the King/Golland pieces. The main Aagaard-Nilsen takes the title of the CD itself. The Binding of the Wolf was composed in 1990, and revised in '91. The title is relates to the Fenri wolf of ancient Nordic Mythology. The Fenri wolf was half wolf, half man, and hunted by the Gods. Hearing this brings back memories of ‘Chain', which was used as set work for the European in 2002. The reason for this comment is because you get the impression the composer has utilised different sections, some similar, whereas others are totally different and linked them together.

Artic Funk was written for Tromso Brass and reflects very much the hectic nightlife of the city, with some tranquil bits thrown in as well. Aagaard Nilsen's ‘Nocturne' is another piece that is quiet and extremely reflective, and beautifully performed on this recording.

The final offering from the modern-day composer is entitled ‘Awakening' and identifies that by performing contemporary music, a brass band could be awoken from hybernation. Lasting six minutes, it certainly portrays the deep sleep that anyone can fall into after consuming a bit too much alcohol, only to be awakened by a short, sharp, shock.

This is a CD that anyone who enjoys music from Norwegian Composers will enjoy, and will appeal to anyone who likes to hear major works for band (that have not been recorded on CD that often) performed at a very high level, under two different conductors.

Malcolm Wood

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