CD: Trials and Triumphs

CD of the Month April 2019

TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS
Featuring the band’s winning performance from the National 2018 conducted by Russell Gray
Foden’s Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Doyen: DOY CD391
Buy this CD here!

In this release, Foden’s tells the story of the band from the ‘trials’ of its well-documented band room fire in 2016, through to the ‘triumph’ of being crowned British National Champion in 2018. The imagery of rising from the ashes is immediately evoked with the pulsating rhythms of Tom Davoren’s Phoenix Rising.

To follow is a masterful transcription of Paul Dukas’s famous The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Derek Bourgeois. The band proves razor-sharp in delivery, whilst maintaining the slightly chaotic humour of the original. To follow, Song for Eilir is dedicated to the memory of Eilir Williams, husband of Foden’s repiano, Anna Hughes-Williams. Based around the theme of Ar Lan yr Mor, Mark Wilkinson’s cornet playing provides a tender focal point to this moving tribute. Next – the winning live performance of Kenneth Downie’s Handel in the Band from the 2018 Royal Albert Hall National Final. This is simply a delight to listen to – a master class in band playing and MD, Russell Gray, interprets the composer’s intentions with inherent musicianship.

The band then presents its 2018 Brass in Concert programme, entitled Kings and Queens. The sweeping intrada of The Crowning by Jonathan Bates proves an apt start to the set, before the composer’s take on music from Handel in Eternal Source of Light Divine. Euphonium soloist, Gary Curtin, delivers the virtuosic set of variations with ease, treating the listener to a remarkable display of extreme range and technical versatility. John Barber’s The King of Swing and Freddie Mercury’s Seaside Rendezvous introduce lighter styles before ‘The King’ of Brass in Concert, Richard Evans, joins as vocal soloist in a touching Send in the Clowns. A dramatic fantasy, entitled Thy Tribute Bring, brings the set to a stirring, excellently-balanced conclusion.

The disc draws to a close with Trials and Triumphs – Derek Bourgeois’s last major work for brass band, composed in 2016 and commissioned to celebrate the band’s famous double hat trick in the 1930s. Building through the pent-up excitement and nerves of a contest day, and a calm, sentimental slow melody, the score culminates in a grand melody bursting with excitement and nostalgia to finish.

The perfect blend of serious repertoire and lighter music, with outstanding audio quality and presentation, this disc will appeal to the avid enthusiast and casual listener alike.
 
THOMAS DUNNE

This review appeared in the April 2019 edition of BBW. For more reviews, articles and news subscribe to BBW Digital, available to read online (annual subscription: £30), or subscribe to BBW's printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World). Alternatively, receive both the Digital and printed editions combined: £55 (UK); £83 (Europe); £96 (rest of the world) - saving 50% on the Digital edition! Click here to subscribe!