*
banner

CD review: The Romantic Cornet — Music for Cornet and Piano

Frank Anepool
Pianist: Vaughan Schlepp
Globe Records: CD 8711525527607



Although recorded over two years ago, this recently released recital collection of works from arguably the peak years of the cornet’s romantically inspired repertoire, provides a timely and refreshing appreciation of the art of ‘heritage’ performance.

Frank Anepool has an obvious respect and informed understanding for the music and the style in which it should be interpreted - freeing it of cloying sentimentality so that melodic technicality is brought to the fore without needless facile showmanship.  

Breathy tonality

The academic understanding is also enhanced by the decision to perform on a 1970’s medium bore Sovereign 920 cornet with a deep cup 1880’s Guilbaut Couesnon mouthpiece – a combination that provides modern day intonation security yet retains a light, breathy tonality that harks authentically back to the era.

Anepool’s impressive CV backs his performance credentials. He is a soloist of the highest grade; able to display both a tallow translucence as well as bel canto meatiness to his sound.

The limited edition release is also aided by the accomplished piano playing of Vaughan Schlepp on an 1846 Sebastien Erad instrument, although it is frustrating that the accompanying booklet has very little context information about the works themselves (the white print text on the cover is almost unreadable).    

Anepool’s impressive CV backs his performance credentials. He is a soloist of the highest grade; able to display both a tallow translucence as well as bel canto meatiness to his sound.

Musical intelligence

The musical intelligence seeps through each track – from the exhibitionism of Bellstadt’s ‘Napoli’  and ‘Carmen Fantasie’  (written in the same year as the opera was premiered in 1872), to the neat contrasts of the academic explorations of Brandt’s brace of 'Konzertstuck'  works. 

His take on Damare’s ‘Pandora’  opens a box revealing subtly tempered flute inspired hopefulness – full of controlled rubato considerations.  

His take on Damare’s ‘Pandora’ opens a box revealing subtly tempered flute inspired hopefulness – full of controlled rubato considerations.  

Elsewhere, Oskar Bohme’s impassioned ‘Liebeslied’  and joyful ‘Russischer Tanz’  (a real musical curiosity given the composer’s tragic demise in 1938 following his exile to the Ural city of Orenburg by Stalinist authorities) is balanced by the delightful ‘A Chloris’.  

Rightly considered to be the very apex of Reynaldo Hahn’s art as a vocal pasticheur with its elegant ‘Bach’ momentum provided by both the piano accompaniment and the graceful solo line, it is quite beautifully played - as is each work on a highly recommended release.

Iwan Fox


To purchase: https://frankanepool.nl/?page_id=6

Play list:

1. Zweites Konzertstuck (Opus 12) (Willy Brand)
2. Liebeslied (Opus 22) (Oskar Bohme)
3. Erstes Konzertstuck (Opus 11) (Willy Brandt)
4. Carmen Fantasie (Bizet arr. Herman Bellstedt)
5. A Chloris (Reynaldo Hahn)
6. Russischer Tanz (Opus 32) (Oskar Bohme)
7. Pandora (Eugene Damare)
8. Napoli (Trad arr. Herman Bellstedt)

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    



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


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


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


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Jonathan Corry

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd