Black Dyke will perform the world premiere of a major new work entitled, 'The Final Voyage' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper at the Black Dyke Festival at Leeds Town Hall this Sunday (5th June at 3.00pm).

Commissioned by Carole Crompton on behalf of Bolsover District Council, the narrated composition marks the 100th anniversary to the day of the final, fateful journey of the armoured cruiser, HMS Hampshire.

Lord Kitchener

On 30th May 1916, HMS Hampshire received orders and fought in the Battle of Jutland, returning safely to Scapa Flow on 3rd June.

Despite furious gales and terrible sailing conditions, the ship then set out at 4.45pm on 5th June on route to Archangel in North Russia carrying the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener (famously portrayed above), who was to attend diplomatic negotiations with representatives of the Russian Tsar, Nicholas II.

An hour later, the ship's Captain decided to turn back due to appalling weather conditions. At 7.40pm, and just a mile and a half from safe anchorage between the Brough of Birsay and Marwick Head off the Orkney Isles, HMS Hampshire struck a mine laid by German U-Boat U75. She sank amid terrible sea conditions within 15 minutes.

Lives lost

All but 12 of her 667 crewmen and passengers lost their lives — among them Derbyshire hero, 1st Class Stoker Thomas Henry Redfern as well as Lord Kitchener and his staff — a loss that sent political as well as military reverberations around the world from small towns to the highest offices of state.

Composed in several connecting movements, 'The Final Voyage' paints a musical storyline that is accompanied by an equally evocative narration, with the performance made the more poignant as it will also be performed in the presence of the relatives of Seaman Richard Simpson who was one of the survivors.

Kevin Stewart, a trombone player with Derwent Brass has involved himself in extensive research to support the project, including a letter from his Great Uncle sent to his mother giving his version of the events that engulfed the fateful journey.

Great honour

Representatives of the Arts Council England will also be in attendance for the concert which will also include the British premiere of Edward Gregson's 'Cornet Concerto' performed by Richard Marshall.

Black Dyke Director of Music, Professor Nicholas Childs told 4BR: "It is a great honour for the band to be able to play its part in commemorating the sacrifice of so many brave men. It is a very moving and evocative story that has lost none of its impact or relevance over the last 100 years."

All but 12 of her 667 crewmen and passengers lost their lives — among them Derbyshire hero, 1st Class Stoker Thomas Henry Redfern as well as Lord Kitchener and his staff4BR

Importance

Sunday's performance at the Black Dyke Brass Festival will also be in the presence of the composer, Paul Lovatt-Cooper, with a spokesperson for Bolsover District Council adding: "We are both thrilled and honoured that Black Dyke will premiere a work that recalls an event of such historical significance exactly 100 years to the day that HMS Hampshire was lost.

The growing importance of being able to work alongside Arts Council England and with Paul Lovatt-Cooper also in attendance shows that brass bands have a significant part to play in promoting and commemorating our local, regional and national history and heritage."

Tickets

Tickets are still available for the concert from Leeds Box Office: 0113 224 3801