War Memorials release gains widespread critical acclaim

A new CD of brass band music has found widespread critical acclaim from both within and outside the brass banding world.

A brand new brass band CD of music inspired by personal reflections of war has gained widespread critical acclaim since its recent release.

Overseen and produced by Paul Hindmarsh, 'War Memorials — Music for Brass Band' features performances by Cory and Tredegar Bands of works by Benjamin Britten, Simon Dobson, Gavin Higgins, Robin Holloway, John McCabe, Paul McGhee and Lucy Pankhurst, and has been issued on the widely respected NMC label.

CD of the Year

Not only was it recently awarded the title of '2016 CD of the Year' by Brass Band World magazine, but it has also gained a five star review in The Guardian newspaper and received a highly complimentary podcast review on the BBC Music Magazine website.

Professor Michael Acorn, from Queen's University, Belfast, who was one of the BBW panel called it, '...a fascinating and hard hitting selection of contemporary works looking back to an earlier war-time ear through a contemporary lens', whilst fellow panel member and conductor Erik Janssen added, '...this is a class concept, with two bands joining in an ambitious and artistic project. I love the recording and hope it finds its way to all band lovers'.

Positive

Outside the brass band world, its reception has been equally positive. Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian's classical music critic called it 'solemn and poignant', and that is showed that 'the brass band tradition is alive and kicking'.

Meanwhile, the presenters of the BBC Music Magazine website described it as a '...brilliantly programmed disc which really shows off all that brass bands can do in all sorts of ways', 'wonderful playing and very sensitively done', and that they hoped it would 'encourage more inventive programmes of brass band music to open our ears and eyes.'

Delighted

Not surprisingly Paul Hindmarsh was delighted that his decision to bring the project to life has been such a success.

He told 4BR: "This recording means a great deal to me. NMC Recordings, which specialises in contemporary British music has made such a great job and I couldn't have wished for a more co-operative team than Richard Scott and Melissa Dee of World of Sound.

The two bands were of course magnificent and the recording of 'The Maunsell Forts' with Cory under Robert Childs in 2010 at the RNCM Festival at which I am Artistic Director is also masterful."

Congratulations

Cory MD Philip Harper added his congratulations. "We were thrilled to be a part of such a clear and ambitious artistic vision. Our thanks go to Paul and his team and together with Tredegar we are delighted that it has received such widespread critical acclaim."

Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse agreed: "I join Phil and Cory in thanking Paul for being able to produce and direct such a wonderful release. These are the artistic projects that Tredegar thrives on — and the response from critics within and outside the brass band world show how artistically important it is."

Inspire

Dr Robert Childs, who conducted Cory on the 2010 performance of 'The Maunsell Forts' added: "It is vitally important that original music for brass band is given this type of exposure, and as always, Paul's choice of repertoire is inspired.

I'm delighted that this quintessential work, by one of the finest composers to have ever written for brass band, is now available on disc."

Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian's classical music critic called it 'solemn and poignant', and that is showed that 'the brass band tradition is alive and kicking'4BR