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With Mmeplece' comes a total contrast, as this quartet was commisloned by
the 1994 Swiss Brass Quartet Championships. Played here with trumpets
rather than cornets, and french horn rather than tenor horn, Its three
continuous sections give ample opportunity for David Wright, Richard Evans,
Nicholas Stones and John Storey to demonstrate their skills. They blend well
together and cope well with the challenges of chamber ensemble playing,
making for a very enjoyable Interlude, an Idea which other bands could do
well to adopt on occasion.
'Gaelforce'llas been taken up by many bands since Its appearance, and Is
possibly one of the most recorded Items of more popular repertoire at
present. With the woodwind textures It does not seem quite as relentless as
the brass version sometimes Is and the percussion Is not allowed tobe over-
dominant. The flugel solo In 'The Minstrel Boy'Is contrasted with the
woodwind choir, with the woodwind also taking the lead In 'Tossing the
feathers'before the rest of the band join In the revelry.
When considering works that originate In one medium, It Is easy to spend
much of the time making comparisons, favourable or otherwise. Possibly one
of the greatest compliments about this recording Is that you very soon start to
accept each piece on Its own merits. There may be areas where the texture
comes as a surprise at first, but the quality of the music-making shows
through at all times. Whether or not one Is ordinarily a fan of the wind band,
this Is a disc well worth exploring, and It Is to be hoped that Peter Graham will
produce more original works for the band, who have been fortunate In the
past to have had composers such as Laurie 3ohnson (of 'The Avengers'fame)
associated with them.
Peter Bale
Track listing:
1. The Red Machine, 8.24
2. Intrada (On A Theme by Tallis), 2.21
3. Bravura (A Fantasy on British Folk Songs), 6.01
Euphonium Soloist: LCpl John Storey
4. Hine e Hine, 3.29
5. Call Of the Cossacks, 9.41
I. Procession of the Tartars
II. Doyle's Lament
III. Cossack Wedding Dance
6. Elegy (From Harrison's Dream), 3.26
7. Shine As The Light, 7.41
8. Whirlwind, Comet Soloist: LCpl Richard Evans, 2.33
9. Alloway Tales, 5.17
I. Duncan Gray
II. Afton Waters
III. The De'ils awa wi th'Exclseman
10. Timepiece, 5.35
11. Gaelforce, 6.20
Total CD playing time: 71.18
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