This latest release from the 2013 European champion is the first of the ‘in concert’ franchise under the baton of Philip Harper – and the difference in style and approach from the first two offerings is noticeably marked.

Lighter

This is a lighter, energetic recording performance – even with the darkly hued excerpts of Mahler’s ‘Resurrection Symphony’, with elements showcased from their 2012 prize winning Brass in Concert programme and current concert sets.

The cracking opener ‘Los Hermanous de Bop’ is a case in point – played at a fizzy, bubbling tempo that emphasises style rather than pure technique, whilst there is also plenty of Latin vivacity in ‘La Fiesta’ and principal cornet Tom Hutchinson’s suave take on ‘Tico Tico’.

Contrast

Contrast comes with Philip Sparke’s graceful ‘Mountain Song’ and the MD’s evocative arrangement of ‘The Witch of the Westermerlands’, whilst Steve Stewart is an admirably sensitive soloist in ‘Cries for Rhiannon’.

There is a bold pomposity to the march ‘The Bombardier’, which the great Cory conductor and composer TJ Powell would surely have found true to its proud origins, as would any Welsh royalists out there, thanks to a finely judged rendition of Walton’s ‘Orb and Sceptre’. 

Even 60 years after its last great concert appearance at the 1953 Coronation, it still stirs the monarchist blood.

Delightful

A delightful performance of Rodney Newton’s ‘Song and Dance’ provides Joanne Childs with a wonderful way to seal her outstanding contribution to the Cory success story as she makes her farewell recording appearance, whilst another stalwart, Chris Thomas delivers a crafted rendition of Philip Sparke’s ‘Song for Ina’.

Owen Farr’s breathtaking technical virtuosity is revealed with glorious precision in ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso’, (which is invariably lost in less forgiving concert hall acoustics), whilst Matthew White enjoys his opportunity to reveal his flamboyant musical personality in ‘Bravura’.

Rigid

Less successful though is ‘Salute to Sinatra’, which is a lollipop crowd pleaser curiously lacking in a sense of relaxed style. 

The very best brass bands still can’t play swing with inherent authenticity, and even with Cory on this form you can hear why: It is almost unconsciously rigid.

It also reminds you of the reason why Nelson Riddle never wrote a brass band march and TJ Powell was never heard belting out ‘My Way’ in a Rhondda pub on a Saturday night.

Demons

The CD ends with the ‘Finale from Symphony No.2’ (The Resurrection) – a brave and just about successful attempt to tackle the massive themes of Mahler’s inner demons in such a compact format.

It’s a fantastic effort from the MD and his band to round off a recording that makes its own statement of concert intent in more ways than one.

Amy Sheridan

Contents

1. Los Hermanos de Bop, Mark Taylor, arr. Sandy Smith, 2.32
2. The Bombardier, T J Powell, 3.18
3. Tico Tico, Zequinha Abreu, arr. John Iveson, Thomas Hutchinson (Cornet), 4.28
4. Mountain Song, Philip Sparke, 6.24
5. Song and Dance, Rodney Newton, Joanne Childs (Flugel Horn), 5.57
6. The Witch of the Westmerlands, Archie Fisher, arr. Philip Harper, 4.10
7. Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Camille Saint-Saëns, arr. Owen Farr, Owen Farr (Tenor Horn), 8.42
8. Salute to Sinatra, arr. Philip Harper, 10.00
9. Song for Ina, Philip Sparke, Christopher Thomas (Trombone), 4.49
10. Orb and Sceptre, William Walton, arr. Eric Ball, 7.30
11. Bravura, Peter Graham, Matthew White (Euphonium), 5.28
12. La Fiesta, Chick Corea, arr. Philip Harper, 3.50
13. Cries of Rhiannon, Tom Davoren, Steve Stewart (Soprano Cornet), 3.33
14. Finale from Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection), Gustav Mahler, arr. Philip Harper, 6.13