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The 4BR Spotify Playlist No.2
Harry Mortimer

A playlist of the great Man of Brass both conducting and playing in an era when style came with substance.

Spotify

4BR has launched an exciting new addition to our regular features with our very own ‘Spotify Playlist’ of bands and artists in performance for you to enjoy.

We will be featuring selections of our own, as well as from guests, and explaining why the tracks have been chosen.

To kick things off we had classic Black Dyke Mills Band, and it is now followed by music conducted or performed by  the great Harry Mortimer.

Note: You will need a Spotify account to listen to the full tracks. Not a Spotify user? Sign up for a FREE account.

Playlist link: Harry Mortimer

Harry Mortimer (1902 -1992) was arguably the most famous brass band musician of all time.  He was the complete musical polymath – player, conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher, broadcaster and contest organiser. His influence on the banding world was immense.

These selections are not meant to be definitive in any way shape or form, but they do offer a glimpse of the musical style of the man. 

Much of the music comes from either his All Star Brass Band or Men of Brass, whilst the solo items see him performing with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Brass Players.

The standard of playing varies greatly it must be said - even with him as a soloist, but above all else it is the sense of style that he brings to the music that stands out: Everything flows without recourse to artifice. 

It is music making from a different era in more ways than one - the witty marches especially.  ‘The Corner Flag’ recalls the football of a generation of Matthews and Finney, the maximum wage and winger’s shorts that bellowed in the breeze like sails on a tea clipper.   ‘Thunderbirds’ hasn’t got a single CGI special effect in it either.

There is a delicacy of touch with ‘Elizabethan Serenade’ by Ronald Binge that has almost been denuded to extinction in modern brass band playing, and a craftsmanship to the approach to the final movement of ‘Kenilworth’ and of the test-piece ‘Blackfriars’ that has a sense of elegance as well as drama. 

It is the same with the brilliant overture 'Ruy Blas' - a classic in anyone's book, ‘The Holy City’ (even if the singing isn’t too brilliant) and Rachmaninov’s ‘Prelude in C Sharp Minor’ which yearns with melancholic pathos.



The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Billingshurst Carnival

Sunday 29 June • Carnival through Billingshurst and concert at Recreation Ground RH14 9SX


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band are looking for a positive and dynamic leader who can further develop our players skills & aid us in our aspirations of reaching the 1st section.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

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