Black Dyke is to provide the sound track to a new film about one of the most controversial figures of the post war political landscape in the UK, after they recently recorded music written by award winning composer Michel Duvoisin for a new 90 minute cinematic feature on the life of Tony Benn.

Award winning composer

The music was written by the BAFTA nominated Michel Duvoisin, a former winner of the Berlin Film Festival Best Documentary and Royal Reel Award Canada International Festival, as well as BBC2 Greenlight and John Lennon Songwriting Awards, and was recorded in a special session at Morley Town Hall.

Viscount Stansgate

The film, expected to be released in late Spring 2014, is called ‘Will and Testament’, and will look back at the remarkable career of the former Viscount Stansgate, now aged 88, who renounced his hereditary peerage in 1963 to become one of the most influential Labour politicians of the next 30 years.

His controversial views led him to become the unofficial leader of the left wing of the Labour Party, although whilst a member of Harold Wilson’s government he oversaw the building of the Post Office Tower and the development of Concorde.

Beacon

He later challenged for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party in 1981, only to be narrowly defeated, before his influence waned and he left Parliament in 2001, although he remains an active political beacon for left wing supporters.

The film’s Director Sanjay Kumar was present throughout the recording session, insisting as he said, “...to be where all the action was.” He later admitted to being ‘thrilled’ by the bands playing.

Fantastic time

The recording session was also filmed, whilst Michel Duvoisin late wrote to Black Dyke Director of Music Dr Nicholas Childs: "Please relay to the band that we had a fantastic time with a most stunning band!

To have Black Dyke playing my music was a huge thrill. They all knew how to pull it off in a short amount of time with such aplomb!

In American parlance, truly awesome. The sound, the dynamics, the understanding! It was well and truly worth it."

Dyke fan

Dr Childs later told 4BR that the composer had revealed that he has been a fan of the band after being a fledgling soprano cornet player in his youth, and so the opportunity to write for Black Dyke was a bit of a musical dream come true.

Please relay to the band that we had a fantastic time with a most stunning band! To have Black Dyke playing my music was a huge thrillComposer Michel Duvoisin

High profile

"It has been a real pleasure for the band to be involved in such a high profile project about such a high profile figure," Dr Childs said.

"To meet up and discuss what was required and then be on hand as Michel directed the band gave us all a real insight into his musical concept and that of the film itself. All that and then find out he was a fan was a real bonus.

We are now all looking forward to being able to see the film on its cinematic release next year."