Brass from the Masters, Volume 1
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CHAN 4547 Front.qxd 10/1/08 1:26 pm Page 1 Chan 4547 B RASS CHANDOS from the M ASTERS Vaughan Williams Alwyn Jenkins THE Simpson WILLIAMS Rubbra FAIREY The Williams Fairey Band Elgar BAND James Gourlay Volume 1 Bryan Hurdley CHAN 4547 BOOK.qxd 10/1/08 1:28 pm Page 2 Brass from the Masters, Volume 1 Cyril Jenkins (1889–1978) 1 Life Divine† 12:55 William Alwyn (1905–1985) arr. Frank Wright 2 Overture: The Moor of Venice† 9:32 AKG Edmund Rubbra (1901–1986) arr. Frank Wright 3 Variations on ‘The Shining River’, Op. 101* 10:40 Robert Simpson (b. 1921) 4 Energy* 10:07 Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) 5 Variations† 11:30 Edward Elgar (1857–1934) Severn Suite, Op. 87* 17:19 6 I Introduction: Worcester Castle – 2:23 7 II Toccata: Tournament – 4:10 8 III Fugue: The Cathedral – 3:50 9 IV Minuet: Commandery – 4:50 Edward Elgar 10 V Coda 2:06 TT 72:47 The Williams Fairey Band James Gourlay* Bryan Hurdley† 3 CHAN 4547 BOOK.qxd 10/1/08 1:28 pm Page 4 Variations on ‘The Shining River’, Op. 101 within its limited duration. That duration was Brass from the Masters, Volume 1 Edmund Rubbra was a pupil of Holst and of fundamental to the design of the piece, since Vaughan Williams. His Variations are a test of its basic idea, that of a study in continuous musicality rather than technique, requiring acceleration and crescendo, is hardly capable Life Divine work is irresistible and its musical quality, in sensitive control not only from solo players – of indefinite extension. In style and form far removed from the same consequence, need not be questioned. among them the flugelhorn, making the first The germ from which Energy derives is composer’s Coriolanus of the previous year, statement of the theme and showing an early stated at the outset in the bass, its vague Cyril Jenkins’s Life Divine of 1921 demanded Overture: The Moor of Venice (1958) sign of its emergence as the solo voice menace answered by a reassuring chorale-like a quantum leap from its performers rather This Overture is a condensed musical it has since become – but from the whole passage from the rest of the band. The basses than a mere advance in technique; indeed, its evocation of the events of Shakespeare’s play, ensemble. There are six variations, among try again and again to assert their theme difficulties were seen to be so appalling by Othello. The composer described it as follows: them two Dances, a Pageant and a final before it is taken up, lyrically, by the soprano the publisher’s editor that the composer’s After a solemn opening, heavy with foreboding Lament with decorative writing reminiscent of cornet. Here Simpson asks for a sound sempre title A Comedy of Errors was discarded as tragedy, Desdemona is depicted singing the the Tudor keyboard, before the work ends non vibrato. The idea is taken up in turn by potentially provocative. One reads Jenkins’s traditional ‘Willow Song’, which Shakespeare with a developed restatement of the theme. flugelhorn and then by solo cornet and others. programme note, therefore, with some uses so pathetically in his play. The Moor, a This thoughtful and unusual work has been With the music’s increasing velocity the germ reserve, since a musical scenario is whatever general in the service of the Doge of Venice, is much neglected. This splendid recording is a develops, as germs may, almost beyond the composer says it is, and may portrayed by the stormy and martial music revelation which may well restore its fortunes. recognition. The momentum gathering conveniently change with the title. His which follows. A fugal section describes the throughout, Energy concludes with the most opening Andante maestoso, the composer wiles of Iago, and the protestations of Energy significant note of its opening motive, a tells us, shows life to be a thing of dignity Desdemona, but Othello is maddened with Simpson is wonderfully equipped to write for cataclysmic unison G flat. and seriousness, the succeeding Vivace faces jealousy, and the climax of the music comes with the brass band, having begun his musical its problems with vigorous optimism, the the murder of the innocent wife. She dies in a education in the Salvation Army; the Variations Andante nobilemente – a famous solo strangled phrase of her song; and the Overture sole-known example of a composer of It is said that Vaughan Williams declined an passage for the cornet – showing the closes with a solemn coda. genuinely symphonic stature having thus invitation to write for the National Brass Band ennobling power of true love. After a review The Overture has been arranged for brass begun. He might have ‘written down’ to this Championships in the mid-thirties because he of all these themes Love is shown to be band by Frank Wright. medium as have some others. He is not, disliked the sound of the band. Since an triumphant. The composer conducted the Scottish All though, a composer for compromise, and overture for brass band, Henry V, thought to Life Divine exploits one of the band’s chief Star Band, Scottish C.W.S. Band and Foden’s Energy represents nothing less than his state date from that period and found among works virtues: its capacity for the creation of Motor Works Band in the first performance at of development at the time of composition – discovered after his death, has achieved no physically thrilling sound on an epic scale. The the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 26 May 1956. so far as that could have been accommodated great popularity, he was probably right to 4 5 CHAN 4547 BOOK.qxd 10/1/08 1:28 pm Page 6 retreat from the idea of a major work for the sits, like The Wand of Youth and The Nursery concerts both at home and abroad. In 1993 Since living in Switzerland James Gourlay has band at that time. His Variations of 1957 Suite, upon the bridge between the symphonic the Band were holders of both the National devoted much of his time to conducting and were brought about by an encounter with the Elgar and the salon-music genius. The and British Open titles and in 1994 they were writing for brass band and is one of the most International Staff Band of the Salvation Army. movements, played continuously, describe European Champions. Apart from its regular successful conductors on the Swiss brass-band Vaughan Williams’s theme, fourteen bars scenes in Elgar’s historic native city. Beginning appearances throughout the British Isles the scene. long, begins with a modal hymn-like phrase with the Introduction: Worcester Castle band makes regular trips to countries such as for unison saxhorns in two octaves. Brighter (Pomposo) we proceed to the Toccata: Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Germany and Bryan Hurdley won a scholarship to the sounds, marked no vibrato, respond, again in Tournament and thence into the Fugue in Holland. Since its formation the Band has had Birmingham School of Music where he gained unison. The theme is then completed with a which Elgar depicts The Cathedral. Here is the an illustrious line-up of conductors: James distinction in teaching, performing and recital harmonized phrase which could have come quintessential Elgar; thirty-one inimitable bars, Gourlay is currently Principal Conductor and diplomas and was the winner of many from no other pen. Here is the Vaughan their climax a glory of stained-glass. On then Bryan Hurdley is Resident Conductor. prestigious performance prizes. A founder Williams of the Fifth Symphony. to Commandery, a courtly reminder of the member of the English Tuba Consort he has The variations are brief, eleven happening Royal presence during the Civil War, twice After studying at the Royal College of Music travelled widely in Europe and the USA. In within ten minutes. They make no concession interrupted by scherzando episodes. The Suite James Gourlay was a member of the City of 1993 Bryan Hurdley was appointed Director to the showpiece element of the band-contest; ends with a richly elaborated restatement of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC of the Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band here all is discipline – music heard through the the Introduction. Symphony Orchestra and is currently solo tuba and is currently tutor in lower brass at the brass band rather than notes written to Commissioned for the National Brass Band in the Zurich Opera House. As a soloist and University of Warwick. Over recent years he demonstrate it or to entertain with it. Championships of 1930, Elgar’s only brass chamber music player he has performed all has enjoyed an increasing reputation as one of Demands made upon soloists are light; even in band work is dedicated ‘to my friend, George over the world, most notably as a member of the finest conductors of his generation and the Arabesque (Variation VII) the parts flow Bernard Shaw’. the Philip Jones and English Brass Ensembles. from 1989–1995 he was Musical Director of easily under the fingers of the players. Like Solo engagements have included first the Sun Life Band before taking up the Rubbra, Vaughan Williams was drawn to the © 1997 Bram Gay performances of works written for him by such position of Resident Conductor with the flugelhorn, writing excitingly for it in his Ninth © 1997 Mary Alwyn & William Alwyn composers as Gregson, Horowitz and Sparke. Williams Fairey Band. Symphony. The concluding variation is entitled Archive (The Moor of Venice) Chorale. Beginning pianissimo, cornets fanfare over a bass hymn, the full band joining later.