The History of Brass Band Music - The Golden Era

[WorldofBrass.com]

On the Doyen label, we are pleased to announce the the release, from Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band and Elgar Howarth, of the first in a series of 6 recordings exploring the vast History of Brass Band Music.

This first release deals with The Golden Era (1920 -1970) and the track listing is as follows;
Life Divine (Jenkins)
A Moorside Suite (Holst)
Comedy Overture (Ireland)
Cornet Concerto (Wright)
Resurgam (Ball)
Spectrum (Vinter)

We are expecting the CD to come into stock very soon but you can order it now from our Mail Order people or from our website;
http://www.worldofbrass.com/acatalog/21234.html

[Bariman]

What are the remaining 5 volumes likely to cover and what music will they contain? Also what is the likely time span for issuing them?

[WorldofBrass.com]

As the title suggests, the series will cover the history of brass band music to the present day. I cannot be specific at this time about what titles will be included, the project will be completed during the next 18 months to 2 years. However, please be aware that we won't necessarily release each CD in strict chronological order.

[MoominDave]

1920-1970 does seem a pretty sweeping generality; they could probably fit every second top section area piece since 1971 on the remaining volumes.

Dave

[WorldofBrass.com]

This project is the brainchild of none other than Elgar Howarth. I am sure that his ideas about what constitutes a History of Brass Band Music will carry the utmost integrity and won't necessarily be made up entirely of test pieces. British Bandsman is doing a feature on the series in this weeks issue and I hope that the article will help explain some more of the thinking behind the project.

[MoominDave]

I'm sure it'll make sense when the series is considered as a whole; just intrigued that so eminent an authority should seemingly 'paint himself into a corner'. Asked to devise such a project on 6 CDs, I would not have attempted to have covered more than half of that time-span on one. But then, no-ones asking me! :wink:

I said 'test-pieces' because these have traditionally formed the most profound original repertoire for band, and the consideration of them provided a handy illustration of what surprised me...

Dave

[PeterBale]

I would go along with those who have said that it would be good to have an overview of the content of the series. There have been a number of such compilations in recent years - the Chandos Brass from the Masters (2 volumes) and Cory's ongoing "Brass Band Classics" series to name but two.

Hopefully the article mentoned above will give some idea as to the rationale behind the project, as at present "Spectrum" would appear slightly out of place amongst the other works in the first volume.

[neiltwist]

at present "Spectrum" would appear slightly out of place amongst the other works in the first volume.

don't follow why, sorry.

[PeterBale]

at present "Spectrum" would appear slightly out of place amongst the other works in the first volume.

don't follow why, sorry.

Because I have always thought of "Spectrum" as breaking new ground and setting band music off into new directions. Stylistic, the others seem to have a lot more in common. Of course, that may be the very reason why he has included it - have to wait and read the article :!:

[Straightmute]

I'm sure it'll make sense when the series is considered as a whole; just intrigued that so eminent an authority should seemingly 'paint himself into a corner'. Asked to devise such a project on 6 CDs, I would not have attempted to have covered more than half of that time-span on one. But then, no-ones asking me! :wink:


I've tremendous respect for Elgar Howarth and will buy the CDs (!) but I'm surprised that he's re-recording works that are already well represented on disc, the Cornet Concerto being a possible exception. How many Resurgams (Resurgii???) do we need when there is so much good music unrecorded?

Given Howarth's interest in early band music, particularly Rimmer and Owen, alongside his commitment to new repertoire, I hope that the later issues will be more interesting and groundbreaking. A recording of the Birtwistle pieces is long overdue and many of the new works commissioned by Howarth/Grimethorpe in the past await recordings...

D

[The Cornet King]

I've tremendous respect for Elgar Howarth and will buy the CDs (!) but I'm surprised that he's re-recording works that are already well represented on disc, the Cornet Concerto being a possible exception.

D

Yeh i seem to agree. Most of the works have seemingly been already recorded. I for one would probably buy the CD more for the fact that the Denis Wright Cornet Concerto (which i have yet to find a complete recording of) is on the CD, no doubt given a marvellous airing by Richard Marshall.

[PeterBale]

Having read the article in British Bandsman, there does appear to be a lot of duplicaton of repertoire. However, the cds of early and recent music look as if they may be worth looking out for, and at least one of the Birtwistle pieces will be there, together with Henze's "Ragtimes & Habaneras".

Regarding the Dennis Wright "Cornet concerto", it was recorded on the cd of the 1988 National Finals, and also on "Composer's Choice" by Brighouse, where the soloist is Jim Davies:
http://www.cdsdirect.fsnet.co.uk/brighouse/default.htm

There is also a performance with piano accompaniment by Alan Morrison on his cd "Concerto x 4":
http://www.justbrass.co.uk/alanmorrison/concerto.htm

[The Cornet King]

Cheers for the info Peter! :D :D

Perhaps World of Brass may know of any more...i heard 2 movements done by Jimmy Shepherd once...did he ever record the whole thing??

[James Yelland]

Having read the article in British Bandsman, there does appear to be a lot of duplicaton of repertoire. However, the cds of early and recent music look as if they may be worth looking out for, and at least one of the Birtwistle pieces will be there, together with Henze's "Ragtimes & Habaneras".

Regarding the Dennis Wright "Cornet concerto", it was recorded on the cd of the 1988 National Finals, and also on "Composer's Choice" by Brighouse, where the soloist is Jim Davies:
http://www.cdsdirect.fsnet.co.uk/brighouse/default.htm

There is also a performance with piano accompaniment by Alan Morrison on his cd "Concerto x 4":
http://www.justbrass.co.uk/alanmorrison/concerto.htm

The Wright Cornet Concerto was also recorded by Solna Brass many years ago, soloist Bram Gay.

[onedrummeruk]

It is also on a recording called "Composers choice" by Brighouse played by Jim Davies, Mr Ball was to conduct this recording I believe but died before it took off and he was replaced by Geoffrey Brand.

[WorldofBrass.com]

We are expecting the CD to come into stock very soon but you can order it now from our Mail Order people or from our website;
http://www.worldofbrass.com/acatalog/21234.html

Now in stock!

[John Brooks]

My copy arrived yesterday and, as I had to endure a 3 hour car journey last night, I popped it into my player and it made the journey seem effortless. Many of the questions asked above re the choice of music etc. are answered in the excellent sleeve notes. All I can say is it's going to be a long two years waiting for the balance of the series. This is awesome!

[John Brooks]

Regarding the Dennis Wright "Cornet concerto", it was recorded on the cd of the 1988 National Finals, and also on "Composer's Choice" by Brighouse, where the soloist is Jim Davies:
http://www.cdsdirect.fsnet.co.uk/brighouse/default.htm

There is also a performance with piano accompaniment by Alan Morrison on his cd "Concerto x 4":
http://www.justbrass.co.uk/alanmorrison/concerto.htm

Canadian soloist Robert Venables also recorded the Cornet Concerto with Brighouse a couple of years ago. Not sure of the current availability of the CD but it was a good one.

[carlwoodman]

Canadian soloist Robert Venables also recorded the Cornet Concerto with Brighouse a couple of years ago. Not sure of the current availability of the CD but it was a good one.

I'm sure Peter Bale will know for sure but I think the Bob Venables CD with B&R is on the Fletcher House label but is probably 5+ years old. We may have a few kicking around at work so if anyone wants one send me a PM or email.

[PeterBale]

Canadian soloist Robert Venables also recorded the Cornet Concerto with Brighouse a couple of years ago. Not sure of the current availability of the CD but it was a good one.

I'm sure Peter Bale will know for sure but I think the Bob Venables CD with B&R is on the Fletcher House label but is probably 5+ years old. We may have a few kicking around at work so if anyone wants one send me a PM or email.
Yes, I missed that one - that's what comes of originally indexing my SA stuff separately from the rest. The cd is entitled "Exultation" and features a number of cornet & trumpet solos, together with a couple of band items, including a fine rendition of "Shine as the Light", as well as David Childs playing "Pictures of Perfection", specially aranged for the recording by Michael Babb.

Solos played, in addition to the Cornet Concerto, are "Blessed Assurance", "I'd rather have Jesus", "Joyous Song", "Jubilance", "La Virgen de la Macarena", "Phantom of the Opera" and "Trumpet Call". There is some fine playing, and it made it all the more disappointing when Robert was featured soloist at the Albert Hall a few years back and had a nightmare. He was clearly not at all comfortable, and did not do himself justice. I hope we'll get the chance to hear him again some time to make amends.

[johnflugel]

I received my copy on Saturday (well done 4barsrest, only ordered it on Friday!) and admit to being just a touch disappointed.

As ever with Grimethorpe, they sound a class act and dare I say, even more so than normal with Gary Howarth in front of them. Nothing is ever overdone and it's all very tasteful and there are some nice moments.

I guess when you listen to bands as good as Grimethorpe, you are splitting heirs when you level any criticism at them because they really are that good. Unlike other CDs with similar content on that I own, I did not really find myself running any bits back or repeating any tracks as they did not capture my imagination. Maybe the music is too familiar and I was expecting something different when really the CD is there as a representation for historical purposes. The exception for me being Richard Marshall's rendition of Wrights Concerto which is a real class piece of cornet playing. He produces a very big fat high D at the end which seems to get bigger as the band lifts the final note :D

Would be interesting to hear some more thoughts on this CD for tmp users who have bought it.

I think the series is an excellent idea - I am looking forward particularly to the SA Connection and Modern Era 1970-2000 volumes, which sound very interesting. I hope some Bourgeois, Heaton, Ball, Wilby, Sparke, Steadman Allen and Simpson will be featured.

John

[Aidan]

i dont see what is wrong with producing a cd with tracks on it recorded by other bands at other times whatsoever... if every piece was only recorded once by any band, then we would have no variety at all, every contest performance of a piece would sound like "the definative" cd version.. and (no offence) but we would have a lot of **** recordings floating about!!! I think it is great to hear different conductors/bands takes on pieces. Although I have had to put up with my dad playing this cd around the house for the last 2 months!!!!!!!

[WorldofBrass.com]

The second volume has arrived in stock today.
Subtitled The Salvation Army Connection (http://www.worldofbrass.com/acatalog/21261.html), the disc features significant works originally written for exclusive use of Salvation Army bands but now available to all.

The track listing is as follows;
The Founder's Hymn (Ellis)
The Liberator (Marshall)
Exodus (Ball)
Just As I Am (Heaton)
Concertino for Band and Trombone (Leidzen) Soloist; Dudley Bright
The Light of the World (Goffin)
The Holy War (Steadman-Allen)
Covenant (Broughton)
The Present Age (Condon)
Victors Acclaimed (Coles)

We will have the CD on our trade stand at the British Open on Saturday.
If you are not going to be there, then it's available on our website now by clicking HERE (http://www.worldofbrass.com/acatalog/21261.html)

[Naomi McFadyen]

Cool!!

Are there good programme notes included as well?

Cheers :)

[WorldofBrass.com]

Are there good programme notes included as well?

Programme notes are by Ronald W. Holz and are excellent, as we have come to expect from him.

[Naomi McFadyen]

:D Fantastic! Thanks! :-D

[PeterBale]

The review on 4barsrest can be found here:

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd159.asp

I must say I found it one of the most impressive and satisfying recordings I have ever come across.

[WorldofBrass.com]

Thanks for that, Peter.
Any chance of moving this topic to the Professional Traders section?
Many thanks in anticipation.