Music by Wilfred Heaton, Gustav Holst, Ivor Bosanko and Percy Fletcher will be showcased by Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag in a live streamed concert in Bergen's Grand Hall this weekend.
It takes place on Sunday 27th September at 7.00pm (Norwegian local time) through a free link to the band's Facebook page. Eikanger will be directed by Ingar Bergby, who has become a great devotee of Heaton's music.
https://www.facebook.com/eikangerbjorsvik
This will see him lead Eikanger in a second half that will feature his quirky march 'Le Tricot Rouge' as well as his rarely heard work, 'The Children's Friend', a set of variations based on 'In Memoriam' by Arthur Sullivan.
Pilgrim Variations
The concert will close with the world premiere of 'Pilgrim Variations', a suite drawn from a series of previously unpublished works entitled 'Pilgrim's Song' and transcribed by Paul Hindmarsh.
The first half opens with a new arrangement of Holt's 'Suite in Eb' followed Bosanko's lyrical 'His Provision' and Percy Fletcher's iconic 'An Epic Symphony'.
Suite with narration
Speaking about the 'Pilgrim's Song' Paul Hindmarsh told 4BR: "It's is a second suite that I've drawn from Heaton's Pilgrim's Song music, and I'm thrilled that Eikanger will be giving the world premiere.
The score only came to light in 2012, when it was discovered in the effects of Heaton's sister Hilda after she passed away.
It contains 19 short items, for solo piano, brass ensemble and unaccompanied choir and was written for the Salvation Army officer training college in Johannesburg, where Hilda was stationed as a tutor.
The Heaton family asked if I would produce a suite with narration and this was recorded using Heaton's original title. However, for some time now I have wanted to build a piece for brass band only out of this lovely music.
Hallmarks
He added: "The larger items are all based on the tune 'Monksgate', so I've entitled the second suite 'Pilgrim Variations'. It is more straightforward to play than most of Heaton's music, but it bears the hallmarks of his best writing, particularly the items that were originally composed for piano."
It is more straightforward to play than most of Heaton's music, but it bears the hallmarks of his best writing, particularly the items that were originally composed for pianoPaul Hindmarsh
Programme:
https://www.facebook.com/eikangerbjorsvik
Conductor: Ingar Bergby
Compere: Arvid Anthun
Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst arr. by Svein Henrik Giske/Reid Gilje)
His Provision (Ivor Bosanko)
An Epic Symphony (Percy Fletche)
Interval
Le Tricot Rouge (Wilfred Heaton)
The Children's Friend (Wilfred Heaton)
Pilgrim Variations (Wilfred Heaton trans. Paul Hindmarsh)
Unfortunately the concert that was due to be provided by Bjørsvik Brass earlier on the same day has been put back until the 11th October.
