There will always be an argument to be had about the practical purpose of this annual release - especially as to whether or not it should be given detailed musical consideration by the MDs of competing bands at the Regional Championships.
That answer to that would seem to be pretty clear.
If a conductor thinks it offers a facsimile blueprint for contesting success then they will be sadly mistaken. Listening to a remarkable Desford circa 1988 or a sparkling Cory under Philip Harper from a couple of years ago will only tell them one thing, and one thing only: Just how bloody good they were.
And whilst studying ‘Rise of the Phoenix’ with a score will certainly give a numbing idea of how to maintain a constant 4/4 beat pattern, wondering if Black Dyke or Foden’s will provide the template for potential Third or Fourth Section triumphs is rather like trying to copy a Banksy mural on the front of your terraced house to impress your neighbours.
That though has never really been its true purpose.
Reigniting interest
This is all about reigniting interest and a revived sense of anticipation to eagerly glance upon the musical staves that will fill hours of future endeavour and commitment - and hopefully inspire players back into the slog of week upon week of personal practice and band rehearsals to eventually be played out on contest stages the length and breadth of the country.
And to be fair – the choices for 2019 have a pretty good chance of achieving that.
If a conductor thinks it offers a facsimile blueprint for contesting success then they will be sadly mistaken. Listening to a remarkable Desford circa 1988 or a sparkling Cory under Philip Harper from a couple of years ago will only tell them one thing, and one thing only: Just how bloody good they were.
‘Seascapes’ by Ray Steadman-Allen has lain like the elegant hulk of an old passenger ship moored in dry dock for far too long. MDs with inquisitive minds eager to explore its poetic lines will find it holds rich musical rewards.
So too ‘Symphony of Marches’ – the rather neglected ‘middle son’ progeny of Vinter’s early 1960s output; its impish wit balanced by the free thinking invention of its flowing purpose to remain as fresh today as it was half a century ago.
Swapped places
And whilst Darrol Barry’s ‘Rise of the Phoenix’ may not be the most challenging work for Second Section bands, Holst’s bucolic ‘First Suite in Eb’ for the Third Section, certainly is.
They could have easily swapped places, whilst much like the top section, Steadman-Allen’s neatly realised ‘Stantonbury Festival’ should offer more than enough to keep Fourth Section contenders on their toes.
Just one other minor question arises though?
Why has Northern Ireland (as well as other banding islands of note) disappeared from the Area map of Great Britain?
Brexit? The Chequers Backstop? Potential 2019 independence referendum claims for Anglesey, the Isle of Man and Jersey?
Now that is an argument this CD will never come close to solving…
Iwan Fox
To purchase:
http://www.worldofbrass.com/100360-group.html
Play list:
1. Seascapes (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Desford Colliery Dowty
Conductor: James Watson
2. Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)
Cory Band
Conductor: Philip Harper
i. Maestoso
ii. Grave
iii. Brioso
3. Rise of the Phoenix (Darrol Barry)
Virtuosi GUS Band
Conductor: Adam Cooke
4. First Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst)
Black Dyke Band
Conductor: Prof Nicholas Childs
i. Chaconne
ii. Intermezzo
iii. March
5. Stantonbury Festival (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Foden’s Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles
i. Andante
ii. Moderato
iii. Allegro
