|
The 2002 4BarsRest awards:
CD of the Year
Plenty to choose from this year with many bands, ensembles, soloists
and collections to choose from. Who says the demand for brass related
music is on the wane?
The overall standard of releases was for us very good indeed –
there were only a few “duds” and even they had their
moments. No – 2002, although not quite a vintage year, more
than made the “appellation controle” standard –
as the French say.
We have picked five which we think represent the best of the different
strands of releases available – but we still think they were
just a short head ahead of the best of the rest in any field. All
we thought brought the highest levels of production values from
the producers, whilst the performers were all on top form. The added
ingredient though was the intelligence of musical thought that shone
through. All had something new and interesting to say – even
when the repertoire had been recorded more than a few times in the
past by others. And that is what makes a truly great CD.
 Hymn
of the Highlands
Yorkshire Building Society
Polyphonic Recordings – CD QRL 214D
YBS on absolute peak form. We have reservations about these themed
items of programme music, but you cannot deny that Philip Sparke’s
Scottish homage to all things tartan is very, very good indeed.
YBS give it their all and the soloists are exceptional, whilst
they still have time to give a very “concert” inspired
rendition of Whitsun Wakes. It makes for an inspired release, well
crafted and produced and a credit to the band, conductor and the
Polyphonic label.
• more about this
CD
 The
Heaton Collection
Black Dyke and the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army
SP&S Recordings – CD SP&S 158
The long lost treasures of Wilfred Heaton are finally – and
brilliantly brought together by Black Dyke and the ISB with a recording
that is simply immense in stature and execution.
The playing is nothing short of superb throughout, whilst the music
is simply exhilarating .
After listening to this inspired CD you can reflect in the glory
of Heaton’s music with a sense of satisfaction that may never
be bettered.
• more about this
CD
 Overtures
Fodens Band
Egon Recordings – CD SFZ 109
A real triumph of quality over content. The overtures themselves
may seem a bit “old hat” and to be honest, the arrangements
are not the most inspired (with the exception of Snell’s “Candide”),
but Fodens and Russell Gray chuck all the old time baggage out the
window and give us 9 cracking renditions of the old favourites.
The playing is fresh, and full of vitality, whilst the direction
and interpretations are precise and detailed. Just when you thought
all old grannies looked like Thora Hird, Fodens show that one or
two of them can still scrub up to look as sexy as Honor Blackman
in a leather basque. Prrrrrrrrrrr……..
• more about this
CD
 Flight
Tormod Flaten – euphonium
A/S Productions – CD 001
The best solo CD of the year – and given that it was up against
some very strong competition that is really saying something.
13 superb tracks, all played with an immense sense of style as
well as quick silver technique showcase a special player, but it
is the way in which Flaten has taken the risks to perform “warts
and all” that makes this a notch above the rest. No camouflaging
or airbrushing – just a top class performer giving of his
all. Tremendous stuff.
• more about this
CD
 Baltic
Brass
The Wallace Collection
Deux – Elles Recordings – CD DXL 1042
A real gem of a CD from John Wallace and his group of fellow musicians.
The music of Sibelius and Ewald are given brilliant performances
from the brass ensemble that reveals themselves as hidden treasures.
All this and they are performed on period instruments which are
made to sound every bit as good as the over priced technological
monsters that today’s players take for granted. The musicianship
of Wallace and his friends is an absolute joy to behold.
• more about this
CD
2001 winner:
Butterworth – Black Dyke
How to vote....
Make sure you read all the articles
for each category before going to the voting
form.
© 4BarsRest
 back
to top
| 
