Patrons Choice III
22-Jul-2010
There is more to patronage than sticking your hand into your pocket to help a worthy cause every now and again..
Foden’s Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Featuring: Mark Wilkinson, Glyn Williams, Helen Williams, Mark Landon, John Barber
Egon Recordings: CDSFZ154
Total Playing Time: 69.14
There can be something very satisfying about being a true patron - the sense of honourable obligation in spending your hard earned time for the benefit of others.
It doesn’t just mean sticking your hand in your pocket every now and again to help a worthy cause.
Recognised
And it is good to see such decent, honest and respected patronage recognised in such a way as this recording by Foden’s – an easy listening selection of concert repertoire that is made a touch more special, not just by the quality of the playing, but also by its dedication to two quite remarkable patrons of the band.
Ivor Stevenson’s amazing service to the Old Boys Band in Armagh is a case in point.
Steep deal
Ever since he bought a second hand baritone in 1963 (although £56 quid seems a bit of a steep deal) and set off to the bandroom, he has worked diligently to keep brass music making flourishing in his home town.
He has also been instrumental in forging the close links with Foden’s over the last few years that has seen the band enjoy regular trips across the Irish Sea to teach and encourage a new generation of players.
Multiple skills
Meanwhile, the late Louise Charles was one of those unsung heroes of banding. Married to a Foden’s bandsman (the equally dedicated Jimmy Charles) she gave of her time and multiple skills (and patience one suspects), for many years up until her death in 2009.
Two very different people, two very dedicated patrons. They, like countless hundreds of others provide banding with a discreet but indispensable backbone of service.
Celebration
So this CD is something of celebration – 15 well chosen tracks, played with a professional sheen of excellence that will ensure that the current batch of patrons will feel that their time and effort in supporting their ‘choice’ has been well worthwhile.
The quintet of soloists, as we have come to expect, are on classy form – very classy indeed. Meanwhile, Michael Fowles keeps a tight rein on things from the middle, never allowing the technical showboating from the full ensemble, who are evidently enjoying themselves, to lose relevance.
Some old classics are dusted off and given a fresh lick of concert paint, and whilst there is plenty here which has been heard a thousand times before, it is notable that the repertoire is played with a marked degree of musical quality.
Never tire
And you can never really tire of hearing Howard Snell’s masterful arrangement of the ‘Polovtsian Dances’ either - a reminder that the band has a back catalogue of music stuffed in their cupboards which is second to none.
Foden’s has been well served by patrons such as Ivor and Louise over the years, and its serves them well in return with this release.
Iwan Fox
What's on this CD?
1. Imperial Echoes, Arnold Safroni arr. Ord Hume, 3.02
2. The Merry Wives of Windsor, Otto Niclai arr. Cooper, 8.53
3. Tico Tico, Zequinha Abreu arr. Iverson, Mark Wilkinson (Cornet), 4.20
4. Winter From The Four Seasons, Vivaldi arr. Snell, 3.21
5. Rhythm and Blues, Philip Sparke, 3.29
6. Children of Sanchez, Chuck Mangione arr. Gilje,Helen Williams (Flugel Horn), 5.53
7. Capriccio Espagnol, Rimsky Korsakov arr. Wilkinson, 4.21
8. Padstow Lifeboat, Malcolm Arnold, 3.45
9. Autumn Leaves, Joseph Kosma,arr. Geldard, John Barber (Trombone), 4.56
10. Toccata in D Minor,Bach arr. Farr, 3.33
11. Romance from 'The Gadfly', Shostakovich arr. Broadbent, 3.17
12. Varied Mood, Ray Woodfield, Glyn Williams (Euphonium),4.59
13. Rev. Archie Beaton, John Mason arr.Rydland, Glyn Williams (Euphonium),2.52
14. Hittin' 'em Up, George Hackford arr. Wright, Mark Landon (Xylophone),2.31
15. Polovtsian Dances, Borodin arr. Snell,8.36
