This impressive release from early 2016 sees Cory in their element - literally so in a showcase of ensemble and solo brilliance that provides the listener with 80 packed minutes of top quality entertainment. 

The 16 tracks are laid out in typical Cory concert mode; not a second wasted from an inventive title-track (complete with the MD’s voice in tuba pitch) and thrilling pot-boiler overture, through a series of contrasting genres, styles and superb soloists to a corking orchestral classic to round things off. They ain’t half good at it.

Best out

Philip Harper’s skills as a composer and arranger are utilised in full - from that imposing opener and breathless cornet solo, to the witty Drifters classic, a reflective euphonium solo and thrilling piece of Berlioz to close. Each brings the best out of his players and ensemble. 

The precision and purpose of the playing is exemplary (the soloists in particular) - but special mention must be made of the three reflective items.

Less is more

Christopher Bond’s ‘Aristotle’s Air’ was first heard at Brass in Concert in 2015 where it took the best new composition award, and is a lovely example of ‘less is more’, whilst ‘English Counterpoint’ by RWCMD student Lewis Furber and ‘Canterbury Choral’ by Jan van der Roost are played with a subtle appreciation of lyrical phrasing and warm tonal balance. It is brass band playing of the very highest quality.

Better peek

The symphonic finale is also an orgy at its best (musically speaking of course) - a sharply observed highlights package of the tastiest bits of Harold’s subterranean stop-off. 

Berlioz didn’t do things by half (although his titular Greek hero was a more of a melancholic dreamer than a testosterone fuelled philanderer), and neither do Cory: It’s all blood, wine, lava and X-rated excitement, simmering with passion and pulsating with danger; high-octane and gratuitous - with the listener wishing they could just get a slightly better peek at the action. 

Steve Jack

Available from:http://www.worldofbrass.com/

1. Elemental (Philip Harper)
2. Poet and Peasant (Suppe arr. George Hawkins)
3. On With the Motley (Leoncavallo arr. Ray Farr) 
Soloist: Steve Stewart
4. Canterbury Choral (Jan van der Roost)
5. Under the Boardwalk (arr. Philip Harper) 
Soloist: Helen Williams
6. Malaguena (Lecuona arr. Mark Freeh)
7. Fuego (Philip Harper) 
Soloist: Tom Hutchinson
8. Aristotle’s Air (Christopher Bond)
9. The Yeoman of the Guard (Sullivan arr. Sargent)
10. In Gardens of Peace (Philip Harper) 
Soloist: Glyn Williams
11. Festive Dance from ‘Mindia’ (Alexander Comitas)
12. Rule Britannia (Hartmann arr. Dan Price) 
Soloist: Ailsa Russell
13. English Counterpoint (Lewis Fuber)
14. Carrickfergus (trad arr. Stephen Roberts)
Soloist: Steve Kane
15. Stardust (Carmichael arr. Bill Geldard) 
Soloist: Christopher Thomas
16. The Brigands Orgy (Berlioz arr. Philip Harper)