Masters of Space and Time
10-Sep-2008
The talented young players of the NYBBGB showcase their talents to the full to see if they can Master Time and Space too...
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Conductor: Bramwell Tovey
Soloists: Jens Lindemann, Ian Bousfield
Polyphonic Recordings: CD QPRL225D
Total Playing Time: 71.22
Now heading towards its 60th year, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain remains one of the jewels in the brass band movement’s crown.
Since 1952, countless young adults have passed through its ranks, enjoying the comradeship and commitment to excellence that has been it hallmarks ever Dr Denis Wright first brought down his baton.
Worthy standard bearers
The latest generation of players to enjoy the NYBBGB experience have certainly proved to be worthy standard bearers of the traditions, and under the baton of Bramwell Tovey they have produced a highly enjoyable and impressive recording.
The major interest of the release will undoubtedly be the performance of Bruce Broughton’s ‘Masters of Space and Time’, a piece rescued it seems from the dark hole of cold shouldered oblivion after it was originally earmarked as the set work for the British Open in 2001.
The reasons for its failure to be used may never be known exactly, but the piece itself perhaps offers a musical explanation. Enjoyable, accessible, atmospheric it may be, but it is also more of an ensemble showcase of brilliant colours, sly wit and filmatic inspiration. It is also just under 12 minutes long, and as such seems constructed more as an extended concert item than a true stand alone traditional test piece.
That doesn’t make it anything less a than a very impressive piece of writing, but given its structure you can perhaps reason why it was dropped in favour of the more overt ‘tester’ of ‘Les Preludes’.
The colours, textures and style are very much of the silver screen (not surprising given the CV of the composer) with some lovely little nods to the likes of Holst’s ‘Planet Suite’, and has a genuine sense of other worldliness about it too with its opening that sounds like an enveloping mass of buzzing bees to its thrill a minute end. It is a piece that now returned to its original musical orbit should find renewed interest and acclaim.
Smouldering
No such problems of course with those stellar talents of Jens Lindemann and Ian Bousfield, both of whom are on sparkling form with their contributions.
Lindemman’s ‘Carmen’ may lack for sensuous smouldering sexuality, given that the lass squeals in the stratosphere as if she has had a cigar butt stamped out on the back of her hand, but it makes for exciting, wild eyed stuff. In contrast we do get to hear something a little more laid back in ‘Dusk’, but not for long as once more the eardrums get a pasting from the high octane fuel the trumpeter seems to be run on.
Exceptional mimic
Bousfield meanwhile delivers a quite exceptional piece of musical chameleon work with a stunning rendition of the ‘Mozart Horn Concerto No 2’. Not only is the playing impeccably tasteful, but the mastery of style and production to mimic the best a latter day Barry Tuckwell could manage is an achievement that takes the breath away. It is hard to imagine a top class orchestral horn player delivering it any better.
Elsewhere we get a sympathetic rendition of Heaton’s ‘Meditation – Just as I am’ – beautifully crafted, and a stirring ‘Festival March – Celebration’ in upbeat style.
Nobility
The two other major works are the old favourite ‘Little Suite for Brass’ by Malcolm Arnold, delivered with vibrancy allied to plenty of good ensemble and solo contributions, and a committed performance of Elgar’s ‘Severn Suite’, which has a feel of nobility and restraint as well as a delicate lightness of touch.
Recorded in two separate venues during April and August 2007, the difference in acoustic is appreciable, but engineer Brian Hilson has done a fine job in marinating a razor sharp clarity throughout.
The well written sleeve notes and post production values add to a release that is a worthy addition to the National Youth Band’s many achievements.
Iwan Fox
What's on this CD?
Featuring Ian Bousfield (Trombone) and Jens Lindemann (Trumpet)
1. Celebration, Leslie Condon, 4.12
2. Little Suite for Brass, Malcolm Arnold
3. I. Prelude, 1.50
4. II. Siciliano, 3.14
5. III. Rondo, 1.58
6. Dusk (from Concerto for Jazz Orchestra), Hugh Fraser arr. Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet), 5.02
7. Severn Suite Edward Elgar
8. I. Introduction, 2.27
9. II. Toccata, 4.17
10. III. Fugue, 3.46
11. IV. Minuet and Coda, 8.09
12. Concerto No. 2 in E Flat Major, Mozart arr. Mark Freeh, Ian Bousfield (Trombone)
13. I., 6.46
14. II., 3.32
15. III., 3.30
16. Just As I Am, Wilfred Heaton, 5.32
17. A Carmen Fantasy, Frank Proto, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet), 4.13
18. Masters of Space and Time, Bruce Broughton, 11.44
