The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army
Conductor: Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb
Soloists: Gavin Lamplough; Richard Woodrow
CD: SPS 453 CD

The eighth volume in the major recording series by The International Staff Band led by Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb, reflects on the first decade of the 21st century. 

It was one that saw a significant shift in output from the multiple issues of works on the Festival Series to the single releases on the Judd Street Collection that resulted in a subtle but marked outward looking shift in musical purpose.  

Context

Explanation comes in more detail in conversation between the conductor and Andrew Blyth that offers the listener an extra level of insightful context to the featured works from the established as well as emerging talent of the time; Kevin Norbury, David Chaulk; Peter Graham; William Himes; Kenneth Downie; Martin Cordner and Leonard Ballantine.  

The quality of the writing is hallmarked by the informed musical framing of Dr Cobb and his performers

The quality of the writing is hallmarked by the informed musical framing of Dr Cobb and his performers – the solidity of the playing from the bright swagger of the opening march ‘The Proclaimers’  all the way to the equally engaging mix of Kenneth Downie’s ‘Variations on a Celestial Theme’  to close, delivered with a cultured sense of style. 

Obvious evidence

That and Kevin Norbury’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme by Purcell’  offer the most obvious evidence of the millennial shift of the extended works – the latter, a clever series of cameo variant modes that inventively balance virtuosity, and wit (with an occasional filmatic nod and a wink) to neatly measured chunks of tasty musicality that would not be out of place on any concert or contest platform. 

That and Kevin Norbury’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme by Purcell’  offer the most obvious evidence of the millennial shift of the extended works

Ebullient lead

The two featured soloists are excellent; Gavin Lamplough a thoroughly ebullient lead in the demanding ‘Caprice for Cornet’  by William Himes, which combines a brace of sacred songs into its triptych packaging, whilst Richard Woodrow displays tender flugel lyricism on the more simply constructed ‘I Surrender All’  by David Chaulk.

Elsewhere, somewhat familiar inflections are heard with the polished offerings of Peter Graham’s ‘The Last Amen’,  ‘Go down, Moses’ by Leonard Ballantine and ‘Light-bringer’  by Martin Cordner, whilst Kenneth Downie’s treatment of the meditation ‘Stars in the Morning’  and the devotional ‘Silent Vigil’  speak and display craftsmanship of the highest order.

Iwan Fox

To purchase: 
CD: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102336

Download: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102336-download

Wobplay: https://wobplay.com/

Play list:

1. The Proclaimers (Kevin Norbury)
2. I Surrender All (David Chaulk arr. Andrew Mackereth)
Soloist: Richard Woodraw

3. The Last Amen (Peter Graham)
4. Caprice for Cornet (William Himes) 
Soloist: Gavin Lamplough 

5. Stars of the Morning (Kenneth Downie)
6. Rhapsody on a Theme by Purcell (Kevin Norbury)
7. Go down, Moses (Leonard Ballantine)

8. Light-bringer (Martin Cordner)
9. Silent Vigil (Kenneth Downie)
10. Variations on a Celestial Theme (Kenneth Downie) 

11. Andrew Blyth & Dr Stephen Cobb in conversation