*
banner

CD review: The Music of Bliss & Howells

Brighouse & Rastrick Band
Conductor: Dr David Thornton
Doyen Recordings: CD389

Bliss
stars

The musical connection between Arthur Bliss and Herbert Howells was one based on lasting mutual respect. 

Born almost within a year of each other at the tail end of the Victorian era, they emerged to become revered figures of the post-war English musical establishment (Bliss was knighted in 1950, Howells made a CBE three years later), although they remained resolute champions of the importance and excellence of amateur music making - including brass bands.

Brilliant students, their compositions moved from youthful radicalism to mature imperialism in arcs of creativity that remain as fresh today as they were when first written - their versatile output frequently imbued with an aching sense of personal loss.

Masterpiece

‘Pageantry’ is Howells’ masterpiece for the brass band genre: a work of immense technical complexity (given the confines of the scoring palette), yet incredible musical clarity.  ‘Three Figures’, written a quarter of a century later is no less impressive; a triptych of opaque portraiture that looks beyond what had become the obvious and familiar elsewhere in his absence. 

There is also a generational gap to be heard with Bliss. 

The differences between ‘Kenilworth’ written in 1936 and ‘The Belmont Variations’ of 1963 are marked. Each is redolently imbued with Englishness; but where the former harks back to an age lost in memory, the latter also embraces the elegant modernity Bliss found in his wife’s home state of Massachusetts and the filmatic energy of California.

Brilliant students, their compositions moved from youthful radicalism to mature imperialism in arcs of creativity that remain as fresh today as they were when first written - their versatile output frequently imbued with an aching sense of personal loss.

Superb performances

Both men remained resolute in their deeply embedded work ethic. ‘Requiem Aeternum’ is now known to have been written for the choir at King’s College, Cambridge, whilst ‘Fanfare for the Lord Mayor of London’ and ‘Greetings to a City’ are examples of ‘to order’ commissioned craftsmanship of the highest order.

Throughout the recording Dr David Thornton’s interpretations are lucid and deeply respectful, eliciting superb performances of nuanced understanding from his ensemble; rich textures delineated with crisp, dynamic borderlines. 

The only pity on a release of the highest quality (aided by Philip Wilby’s touching sleeve notes) is that with such intuitive appreciation, ‘The Ceremony of the Red Bishops’ from ‘Checkmate’ is left curiously detached from its musical hinterland.

Iwan Fox


To purchase: http://www.worldofbrass.com/100498-group.html

Playlist:

1. Fanfare for the Lord Mayor of London (Bliss)
2-4. Three Figures (Howells)
i. Cope’s Challenge
ii. Iles’s Interlude
iii. Rimmer’s Race
5. Kenilworth (Bliss)
6. Requiem Aeternum (Howells arr. Dominic Longhurst)
7. Greetings to a City (Bliss trans. Paul Hindmarsh)
8. Ceremony of the Red Bishops from ‘Four Dances from Checkmate’ (Bliss arr. Ball)
9. The Belmont Variations (Bliss)
10-12. Pageantry (Howells)
i. King’s Herald
ii. Cortege
iii. Jousts

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Epping Forest Band

September 11 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts.. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room.. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm.


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Otley Brass Association

September 7 • Front Row Cornet. -. Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a 5th member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our newly appointed MD, Martyn Beecham


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd