Cornish composer Daniel Hall latest commission was given a world premiere at the recent West of England Bandsman's Festival in Bugle.

The work, entitled, 'Kodema — Echoes of the Mountain' was written for St. Austell Youth Band, and renewed a special link, as his love for brass bands was nurtured by the band as a youngster before he left Bugle where he lived, to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff.

Great deal

He told 4BR: "It meant such a great deal to me to write a work for a band that did so much to set me on the musical path I follow today.

'Kodama' is an eight minute test or concert piece designed for Fourth Section level, and was commissioned by Anna Minear and St. Austell Youth Band and is dedicated to Anna's father, Peter.

The title refers to a mischievous spirit in Japanese folklore that would inhabit the trees of the high mountains and would sing back time-delayed chants of travellers: The phenomenon is known as Yamabiko, however it also refers to the spirit itself — Kodama."

Love story

He added: "It's a love story about a tree spirit who falls in love with the voice of a traveller who he unfailingly echoes on her yearly visit to the mountains. After 40 years of answering her annual shouts, he disguises himself as a human and the two of them fall in love.

However, as the two of them exhale their last breathes, their bodies magically amalgamate and form a beautiful cherry blossom tree full of the national flower of Japan."

It's fantastic to commission a new work by such a talented young compose like Daniel, especially since he is a past member of the bandConductor, Anna Minear

Fantastic

Conductor, Anna Minear was delighted to give the world premiere in the composer's home town contest, and told 4BR: "It's fantastic to commission a new work by such a talented young compose like Daniel, especially since he is a past member of the band.

I remember giving him his first ever music lesson in primary school age 10 and to see how's he's progressed is truly inspirational for the other youngsters following in his footsteps with us.

Friends for life

Daniel added: "To hear them perform my music was such a thrill and honour. There has always been a huge sense of community within St. Austell Town Band and I consider them all friends for life."