The test pieces for the 92nd Spring Festival qualification contests to be held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on 12th May next year have been announced.
Giants
Following on with their policy of picking recent British Open set works to test the bands with ambitions to reach Symphony Hall, the organisers have selected Peter Graham’s, Concerto for Brass and Percussion — ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ as the Grand Shield test piece.
Originally written for the Cory Band to use at the 2009 European Championships in Ostend, it was subsequently utilised again at the 2010 British Open.
Inspired by a heady mix of the musical giants of Bruckner, Miles Davis and John Philip Sousa amongst others, it is sure to test potential British Open aspirants to the full.
Elgar eyebrow
There is sure to be an eyebrow or two raised at the choice of Martin Ellerby’s, ‘Elgar Variations’ for the Senior Cup however.
Written for the 2007 European Brass Band Championships in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth, it was used at this contest in 2008, and subsequently utilised again at the English National Championships in 2011.
A spokesperson told 4BR: "We are aware that it has been used before, but it was felt that it provides an ideal test of bands at Senior Cup level who have realistic ambitions of wishing to make the next step towards the British Open.
All three test pieces are popular yet demanding, whilst there has also been a major turn around of bands at the contest since 'Elgar Variations' was last used."
All three test pieces are popular yet demanding, whilst there has also been a major turn around of bands at the contest since 'Elgar Variations' was last usedBritish Open
Chivalry
Another Martin Ellerby work will be used for the Senior Trophy where his 2003 composition ‘Chivalry’ will test the bands.
The work is inspired by a poem, ‘To Lucasta’ by Richard Lovelace, written in the midst of the age of Chivalry and has proven to be a welcome addition to the test piece repertoire through its drama packed musical language with echoes of the films of the Hollywood era of Errol Flynn.
92nd Spring Festival:
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
12th May 2012
Start: 9.00am
Grand Shield: On the Shoulders of Giants (Peter Graham)
Senior Cup: Elgar Variations (Martin Ellerby)
Senior Trophy: Chivalry (Martin Ellerby)
Further information:
