There were a number of welcome visitors to Tredegar's latest CD recording project on the weekend, as the Welsh band once again teamed up with Paul Hindmarsh and Richard Scott for what promises to be another innovative release.

Listener

Avidly listening throughout the day was Chris Waters, designer of the equally innovative Raw Brass Ray Farr Signature flugel horn from County Instruments.

Chris travelled to Aberdare to take the opportunity to come and hear the instrument played by Lewis West, a student at the Royal College of Music in London, who was performing with Tredegar on the recording.

Jumped at the chance

Lewis (above) told 4BR: "I was delighted to put the flugel through its paces on the recording — especially on demanding repertoire. I've heard so much about it from other players that I jumped at the chance.

I have to say it really impressed me with its ease of blowing, tonal colour and flexibility. I was only disappointed that I couldn't take it back with me to London!"

Revelation

Chris himself was delighted that once again the instrument had made such a positive impression on a player eager to find out more about his ground breaking instrument.

"That's been the key to our success,"he said. "Getting the flugel in the hands of players and giving them the opportunity to explore its capabilities becomes something of a revelation. Hearing Lewis play was a great advert for the instrument — and we should have asked for a special recording ourselves!

Our thanks go Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse for allowing the Raw Brass flugel to be used on such an important recording, and to Lewis for showing just how brilliant and flexible the instrument is."

Hearing Lewis play was a great advert for the instrument — and we should have asked for a special recording ourselves!Chris Waters, designer

Find out more

To find out more for yourself, go to: http://www.rawbrassflugel.co.uk/