DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS PERFORMANCE PORTFOLIO ...

playing all the time, but it does mean
9 demand a larger proportion of brass
writing than is usual in the orchestra.
Towards the end of his life Jacob wrote more for wind or brass than for
orchestra because there was much more demand for such works, particularly in the
United States. Jacob's band music represents a significant and important part of his
output adding significant and useful pieces to the repertoire.
This recording has received critical acclaim from Dr Geoff Ogram, an expert
on the life and music of Jacob, and also from Jacob's widow [see appendix VY-2/31.
It is also the first recording made by a British military band devoted entirely to the
music of Jacob and as such is an important addition for any serious collector of
British wind band music recordings.
REPERTOIRE
An Original Suite was Jacob's first work for military band, having been
completed in 1928. The word Original in the title is believed to have been used to
distinguish the composition from the transcriptions (from orchestra to band) which
made up the majority of the military band's repertoire in the early part of the
twentieth century. Jacob may also have wanted audiences to know that the "folk
song" sections were in fact original material. The score is dated I January 1928, but
no records appear to exist about the work's first performance.
The suite is divided into three movements: a brilliant March that includes four
themes introduced by a solo snare drum, a beautiful Intermezzo featuring a lyrical solo
for alto saxophone
and a robust Finale, reminiscent of the first movement.
9 Gordon Jacob, The Composer and his Art. (London: Greenwood Publishing group,
1955), 66- 67.
10