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CHANDOS

Chan 4543 Bone Idyll T HE W ILLIAMS FAIREY B AND Brett Baker trombone James Gourlay Bryan Hurdley conductors CHAN 4543 BOOK.qxd 24/7/08 1:37 pm Page 2

Bone Idyll

Robin Dewhurst (b.1965) 1 Brasilia 4:20 To Sarah and my family Trad. arr. Adrian Drover 2 Annie Laurie 3:03 I have many people to thank for the existence of this disc. Over the years I have had so many excellent teachers and advisors and it would be an Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) arr. James Gourlay enormous task to acknowledge all of them. I will therefore thank them all 3 Cavatine§ 5:09 collectively as they know who they are. Trad. arr. Gordon Langford 4 In particular I would like to thank the Fairey Band and Chandos without Nobody knows the trouble I see 4:38 whom this CD could not have been possible. I also wish to thank Robin Derek Bourgeois (b.1941) Dewhurst and Philip Sparke for composing works specifically for this 5 Bone Idyll§ 4:52 venture. Gordon Langford (b.1930) Finally, I would like to thank Steve Walkley for his help and guidance on 6 Rhapsody§ 12:39 programme choice and interpretation of the works chosen, and Chris Philip Sparke (b.1951) Houlding for his advice in overcoming the technical difficulties of the works. Prelude and Scherzo 7:55 Of course I would also like to thank the members of my team Andy Gillooly 7 Prelude – 3:39 and James Cant who are always available for advice and help and to John 8 Scherzo 4:16 Cresswell for his patience and hard work in organizing this recording. Larry Henley/Jeff Silbar arr. Darrol Barry Brett Baker 9 The wind beneath my wings 5:47

Alexandre Guilmant (1837–1911) arr. Klaas van der Woude 10 Morceau symphonique 6:56

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Benjamin Godard (1849–1895) arr. Gordon Langford 11 Berceuse de Jocelyn (‘Angels guard thee’) 5:13 Bone Idyll

Ferdinand David (1810–1873) arr. Bryan Hurdley*/Leslie Condon† Brasilia the Madeleine (1857–75) and a teacher at the Concertino§ 15:04 A new piece commissioned by Brett Baker for Ecole Niedermeyer (1861–65), where Gabriel 12 I Allegro maestoso* 5:59 this disc, Brasilia conjures up all the Fauré was among his devoted pupils. On 13 II Andante, marcia funebre† 4:56 atmosphere of carnival time in Rio, as well as behalf of new French music he co-founded providing the soloist with a great opportunity the Société nationale de musique (1871). 14 III Allegro maestoso† 4:16 to display his talents in a lighter (but no less The typically French characteristics of TT 76:32 demanding) style of music. The composer, conservative musical style – neat proportions, Robin Dewhurst, whilst not yet a household clarity, elegance of line – are all to be found in Brett Baker trombone name, is undoubtedly a young man from whom his best compositions, amongst the best- Williams Fairey Band we can expect to hear more in the future. known of which are the Symphony No. 3, the § James Gourlay ‘Organ’ Symphony, his opera Samson et Dalila, Bryan Hurdley Annie Laurie and Le carnaval des animaux, of which he One of many lovely tunes from ‘North o’ the forbade performances in his own lifetime with Border’, this provides another opportunity for the exception of ‘Le cygne’. The Cavatine the soloist to display the lyrical side of his Op. 144 is one of a number of solo playing skills. How fitting that this instrumental pieces written by Saint-Saëns, arrangement should come from the pen of France being one of the few countries in Scottish-based Adrian Drover, a former bass which the trombone flourished as a solo trombonist and arranger with the famous instrument in the late nineteenth century. It is Maynard Ferguson big band of the 1970s. another piece which has become popular in the serious trombone repertoire. Cavatine This arrangement for brass band, especially Camille Saint-Saëns was a well-known French for Brett Baker to perform on this disc, has composer, pianist and organist whose dazzling been made by the Principal Conductor of the musical talent at a relatively early age won him Williams Fairey Band, James Gourlay, himself a the admiration of Gounod, Rossini, Berlioz, renowned tuba soloist formerly with the BBC and especially Liszt, who hailed him as the Symphony Orchestra and currently principal world’s greatest organist. He was organist at tubist with the the Zurich Opera Orchestra.

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Nobody knows the trouble I see piece, which most emerging young brass and challenging technical passages, sometimes of Romanticism in French church music. The Take a well-known spiritual typical of those band trombone soloists aspire to play. It interspersed with reflective passages of great Morceau symphonique is one of a number of you may remember being sung by Paul really is a Rhapsody in the true sense, (i.e. a beauty, and it is these ingredients which have solo instrumental pieces he wrote for the Paris Robeson, an arranger like Gordon Langford musical fantasy or poem full of strong feeling made his music attractive to players and Conservatory, and is listed in the catalogue of (also a trombonist!), a soloist like Brett Baker, or excitement), and places considerable listeners alike. Prelude and Scherzo is another his works as a piece for trombone and piano. a band like Faireys, mix them together and it demands on the soloist, but it makes no of the pieces commissioned by Brett Baker However, judging from the title, and the way must be a recipe for something special! attempt to be highbrow in character and, especially for this disc, and is a particularly the piano part is written, there is every reason being very tuneful, is easily accessible to challenging piece for the soloist, with a high to assume that the work was originally Bone Idyll any listener (a Langford hallmark). One of tessitura in the Prelude and the considerable conceived with an orchestral accompaniment. The title alludes to the phrase ‘bone idle’, but the important features is what the composer technical challenges throughout the piece – For certain, it was not conceived with brass there is no room for idleness here since the describes as the ‘big tune’, which carries certainly not a solo for the faint-hearted, band in mind, although one cannot help music calls for considerable agility from the the unique and unusual instruction molto but it displays Brett Baker’s talents to good feeling that Guilmant would have approved of soloist, and the band! Bone Idyll takes the cantabile e lusheroso – unusual, perhaps, effect. the playing of Brett Baker and the Williams form of a theme and variation, the theme until you take into account the fact that Fairey Band in this transcription by Klaas van being the King’s drinking song ‘Old Ale’ from this piece was commissioned for that great The wind beneath my wings der Woude. Derek Bourgeois’s opera Rumplestiltskin. The trombonist Don Lusher to play in the Gala In its original form, this beautiful song from piece was written in 1980 for Steve Walkley Concert of the National Brass Band Festival the film Beaches was sung by Bette Midler. No Berceuse de Jocelyn (‘Angels guard thee’) and the Sun Life Band, of which Bourgeois in 1975, where it received its first doubt listeners will agree that it lends itself Benjamin Godard was a late-nineteenth- was Musical Director at the time, to play at the performance. ideally to the voice of the trombone in this century French composer, most of whose Granada TV Band of the Year competition. In arrangement by Darrol Barry. works were sentimental salon pieces for piano fact, Old Ale was one of the original titles Prelude and Scherzo although his serious music, which includes considered by the composer for the solo, the Philip Sparke needs no introduction to Morceau symphonique (Concert Piece) symphonies and chamber music, shows a more other being Napoleon – for brass band and afficionados of modern-day brass- and wind- Alexandre Guilmant is regarded primarily as classical orientation. Angels guard thee, is the bone apart!!! band music. His output has been prolific one of the finest organists of his time, having English title of the Berceuse from Godard’s during the past ten to fifteen years and played for the inauguration of the great organ opera Jocelyn, and takes the form of a lullaby. Rhapsody includes a string of light concert pieces in of Notre Dame in Paris. However, as a This sensitive arrangement by Gordon This is, without doubt, a masterpiece of addition to the more substantial works for composer his influence was also very Langford is a welcome inclusion on this disc, scoring for solo trombone and brass band, which he is best known, including the well- significant, having written many pieces for his and provides an ideal vehicle by which the and marked a major milestone in that loved Land of the Long White Cloud own instrument, and also works for soloists, soloist can express the more reflective and particular repertoire. It is certainly not (Aetearoa), Year of the Dragon, Harmony choir and orchestra, and a quantity of subdued side to playing the trombone, a side performed as often as it deserves to be, Music, and Enigma Variations. The hallmarks of chamber music. In fact, in his finest works he which is all too often overlooked by many despite being one of the pieces, if not the his music are strong and energetic rhythms emerges as one of the outstanding examples young players.

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Concertino David wrote his trombone Concertino for Fifteen times British Open Champions, seven Solo engagements have included first Ferdinand David, a renowned violinist and Queisser in 1837. Its first performance was a times winners of the title ‘National Champion performances of works written for him by such composer, was the leader of the Leipzig great success and it has remained one of the Band of Great Britain’ and 1996 All England composers as Gregson, Horowitz and Sparke. Gewandhaus Orchestra, when the better-known most popular pieces in the serious trombone Masters Champions, the Williams Fairey Band Since living in Switzerland James Gourlay has composer Felix Mendelssohn was its chief solo repertoire. is in constant demand for concerts both at devoted much of his time to conducting and conductor during the early nineteenth century. In terms of a brass-band score of the David home and abroad. In 1993 the Band were writing for brass band and is one of the most Also in the orchestra at that time was an Concertino, only the second and third holders of both the National and British successful conductors on the Swiss brass-band extremely versatile instrumentalist by the name movements existed in an arrangement by Open titles and in 1994 they were European scene. of Carl Traugott Queisser, who is said to have Leslie Condon prior to this disc being planned. Champions. Apart from its regular been an accomplished, self-taught, performer However, in order that Brett Baker should be appearances throughout the British Isles the Bryan Hurdley won a scholarship to the on almost every instrument from the double able to record the complete work, Bryan band makes regular trips abroad to countries Birmingham School of Music where he bass to the violin, and from the piccolo to the Hurdley, Resident Conductor of the Williams such as Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, gained distinction in teaching, performing trombone. For many years Queisser was a Fairey Band, has very kindly arranged the first Germany and Holland. Since its formation the and recital diplomas and was the winner of violinist with the then famous Matthai Quartet, movement. Band has had an illustrious line-up of many prestigious performance prizes. A but he made his greatest contribution as a conductors: James Gourlay is currently founder member of the English Tuba Consort trombonist with the Gewandhaus Orchestra © 1996 Steve Walkley Principal Conductor and Bryan Hurdley is he has travelled widely in Europe and the from 1820 until 1843, appearing as soloist on Resident Conductor. USA. In 1993 Bryan Hurdley was appointed no less than twenty-six occasions, and enjoying Brett Baker comes from Gloucestershire and Director of the Birmingham Conservatoire a reputation in Germany which is supposed to his brass-band career began at the age of ten After studying at the Royal College of Music Brass Band and is currently tutor in lower have been comparable with such virtuosi as when his father introduced him to the Bream James Gourlay was a member of the City of brass at the University of Warwick. Over Paganini and Liszt. One of his great Silver Band. He soon progressed to the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC recent years he has enjoyed an increasing disappointments was an unfulfilled promise on Lydbrook Silver Band and during his time Symphony Orchestra and is currently solo tuba reputation as one of the finest conductors the part of Mendelssohn, greatly impressed by there he won many local solo competitions, in the Zurich Opera House. As a soloist and of his generation and from 1989–1995 Queisser, to write him a trombone concerto. and in 1988 and 1989 he was the Junior chamber music player he has performed all he was Musical Director of the Sun Life However, David was a significant figure in Trombone Champion of Great Britain. Before over the world, most notably as a member of Band before taking up the position of Resident German musical life, as a performer having joining the Williams Fairey Band as principal the Philip Jones and English Brass Ensembles. Conductor with the Williams Fairey Band. played a prominent part in the success of trombonist in 1992, Brett Baker played with Mendelssohn’s famous Violin Concerto, and as the Flowers (Gloucester) Band and the a composer with five violin concertos, a National Youth Band of Great Britain. It is with bassoon concerto, many songs and a series of the Williams Fairey Band that he has matured other pieces to his credit. Being aware of his to become one of the leading brass-band colleague’s disappointment with Mendelssohn, trombone soloists of his generation.

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principal conductor James Gourlay solo euphonium David Welsh resident conductor Bryan Hurdley second euphonium Ian Yates principal cornet Brian Taylor solo baritone Keith Muggeridge solo cornet Philip Chalk second baritone Nigel Beasley Gary Parker solo trombone Brett Baker Peter Read first trombone Steve Walkley We would like to keep you informed of all Chandos’ work. If you wish to receive a copy of our soprano cornet Craig Bennett second trombone Andrew Gillooly catalogue and would like to be kept up-to-date with our news, please write to the Marketing repiano cornet Robert Westicott bass trombone James Cant Department, Chandos Records Ltd, Chandos House, Commerce Way, Colchester, Essex CO2 8HQ. second cornet Sean Conway E flat bass Shaun Crowther Mark Peacock Geoffrey Harrop You can now purchase Chandos CDs directly from us. For further details third cornet James Leggat BB flat bass Derek Jackson telephone (00 44) (0) 1206 225225 for Chandos Direct. Raymond Peacock Gareth Johnson flugel horn Simon Stonehouse percussion Jason Jones All music on this disc which is published by Chandos Music Ltd is available from solo horn Sandy Smith Stuart Peacock Chandos Music Ltd, Chandos House, Commerce Way, Colchester, Essex CO2 8HQ first horn Simon Jones Paul Lovatt-Cooper second horn Kevin Teers band manager John Cresswell Producer Brian Couzens Sound engineer Ralph Couzens Assistant engineer Philip Couzens Editor Jonathan Cooper Recording venue Dewsbury Town Hall; 4–5 May 1996 Front cover Photo of Brett Baker by Tony Carter Back cover Photo of The Williams Fairey Band by Tony Carter Design Guy Lawrence Booklet typeset by Dave Partridge Publisher Chandos Music Ltd (Tracks 4, 6, 11 & 12); Gramercy Music (Track 1); Adios UK (Track 2); Marc Reift, Cransmontana, Switzerland (Track 3); R. Smith & Co (Track 5); Studio Music (Tracks 7 & 8); Kirklees Music (Track 9); Muziekuitgeverij (Track 10); Chandos 20-bit Recording Salvation Army (Tracks 13 & 14) The Chandos policy of being at the forefront of technology is now further advanced by the use of PP 1996 Chandos Records Ltd 20-bit recording. 20-bit has a dynamic range that is up to 24dB greater and up to 16 times the PC 1996 Chandos Records Ltd resolution of standard 16-bit recordings. These improvements now let you the listener enjoy more Chandos Records Ltd, Colchester, Essex, England of the natural clarity and ambience of the ‘Chandos sound’. Printed in the EU

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BONE IDYLL: Baker/Williams Fairey Band/Gourlay/Hurdley IDYLL: Baker/Williams BONE bit Fairey Band/Gourlay/Hurdley IDYLL: Baker/Williams BONE CHANDOS DIGITAL CHAN 4543 20

Bone Idyll

Robin Dewhurst 1 Brasilia 4:20 0 95115 45432 9 Trad. arr. Adrian Drover 2 Annie Laurie 3:03

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) Alexandre Guilmant (1837–1911) arr. James Gourlay arr. Klaas van der Woude 3 Cavatine§ 5:09 10 Morceau symphonique 6:56

Trad. arr. Gordon Langford Benjamin Godard (1849–1895) 4 Nobody knows the trouble I see 4:38 arr. Gordon Langford 11 Berceuse de Jocelyn (‘Angels guard thee’) 5:13 Derek Bourgeois (b.1941) 5 Bone Idyll§ 4:52 Ferdinand David (1810–1873)§ arr. Bryan Hurdley*/Leslie Condon† Gordon Langford (b.1930) Concertino 15:04 6 § Rhapsody 12:39 12 I Allegro maestoso* 5:59 13 † Philip Sparke (b.1951) II Andante, marcia funebre 4:56 14 † Prelude and scherzo 7:55 III Allegro maestoso 4:16 7 Prelude – 3:39 TT 76:32 8 Scherzo 4:16 Brett Baker trombone Larry Henley/Jeff Silbar Williams Fairey Band arr. Darrol Barry James Gourlay§ HN4543 CHAN HN4543 CHAN CHANDOS CHANDOS 9 The wind beneath my wings 5:47 Bryan Hurdley DDD

CHANDOS RECORDS LTD. p 1996 Chandos Records Ltd. c 1996 Chandos Records Ltd. Colchester . Essex . England Printed in the EU