New Mealor work set for NYBBS premiere

A major new work by composer Paul Mealor will be premiered by the National Youth Band of Scotland this Friday.

Paul Mealor's latest work will be performed by the National Youth Band of Scotland.

Tuesday, 26 July 2016

A new work by one of the UK's most influential composers is set to feature at the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland's (NYBBS) 2016 summer concert.

'The Heart of Hidden Flame' by Paul Mealor will form part of the programme performed by the senior NYBBS, under the baton of Musical Director, Russell Gray.

Dedication

Commissioned jointly by NYBBS and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, the work is dedicated to the composer's great uncle, James Baird Williams, a former president of the Welsh Brass Band Association, and the man who introduced Mealor to the world of brass bands.

Looking ahead to the concert, Russell Gray told 4BR: "The senior NYBBS has really enjoyed getting stuck into this wonderful piece, rehearsing it during our recent trip to Norway. With its celtic inspiration, the piece is full of spirit and vitality, and offers so much for players and listeners to enjoy."

Inspiration

'Heart of the Hidden Flame' takes inspiration from Scottish writer William Sharp's work, 'The Silence of Amor', and reflecting on its creation, Paul Mealor wrote: "The structure, at a macro and micro-level is governed by opposites.

Differing types of musical material are placed on top, inside and alongside each other, causing coalescence and change. Also, the image of the swirling flames being devoured or absorbed by dusk and darkness or rather, at times, a darkness hiding its flame — runs throughout the entire composition."

Celtic flavour

He adds: "The Celtic world that inspired Sharp so much also infuses this work — Celtic dances, manic ceilidh's and long, melancholic folksongs colour and flavour the work."

The Heart of Hidden Flame' is due to feature at NYBBS' summer concert on Friday, July 29th4BR

Time and place

'The Heart of Hidden Flame' is due to feature at NYBBS' summer concert on Friday, July 29th, which includes the organisation's Senior, Reserve and Children's Bands conducted by Russell Gray, John Boax, Gordon Evans MBE and Richard Evans.

Proceedings get underway at 6.30pm in St John's Kirk, Perth.

Tickets cost £10 for adults. School children go free but booking is recommended. Those reserving children's tickets should include details of the school the child attends in the email.

Anyone looking to book tickets should contact Ann Murray, SBBA vice president, by e-mailing: annmurray37@hotmail.co.uk

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