Virtuoso

The Band and Bugles of the Light Division
Director of Music Major Calum C Gray
Soloists: Richard Marshall and Brett Baker
LDCD001
Total Playing Time: 69:40

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

This is one of those recordings that will appeal to both Brass and Military band enthusiasts, because throughout, the Band and Bugles of the Light Division are in fine form in their individual pieces and in the accompaniment of the soloists, whilst the soloists themselves are on excellent bright and polished form. 

In Richard Marshall and Brett Baker you have two outstanding exponents of their instruments (as has been the case for quite a few years now, despite their youthful ages and appearances!).  Both of them are in great nick on this release and on more than one occasion don't be surprised if you press that repeat button to listen again to true masters of their art.

Richard performs two fine solos that are always popular on concert programmes.  The ubiquitous ‘Carnival of Venice' is one of those solos that all great soloists want to perform to showcase their talents, and although it has tended to become a bit clichéd it is still has the ability to warm the cockles of the heart when played in such fine fashion. There is an even an argument to suggest that the solo gets performed too many times, but when you hear playing of Richard's calibre, you don't mind listening to it again and again.

After a solo performance of ‘Blaze' by Richard at the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival 2004 in Manchester, compere John Maines made the point: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, it is safe to say that we have just been in the presence of greatness'.  Quite an accolade, but listening to Richard's control and style that is produced on this recording, it is no wonder that he is held in such high regard by his peers. It is quite brilliant playing.

Not content with leaving you stunned at ‘Carnival of Venice', take a listen to the classic ‘Softly Awakes My Heart'.  Once again, this is a Rolls Royce performance, beautifully controlled, with the cornet sound of this man just purring like the doyen of motor vehicles. 

Brett Baker performs only one individual item on this recording, but what a choice it is.  In 1975, Don Lusher performed the world premiere of Gordon Langford's ‘Rhapsody For Trombone' and thirty years later it is still one of the great pieces of the trombone repertoire - and takes some playing.  That said, if you want someone to make it sound so easy, look no further than Black Dyke's Principal Trombonist, and as with Richard, Brett is in sublime form, performing some of the trickier solo passages with consummate ease.

The two artistes also join together in Robin Dewhurst's ‘Coming Home'.  Originally written with brass band accompaniment, this jazz-waltz style piece is light-hearted fun, and a nice balance between the instruments and the band.

The Band and Bugles of the Light Division feature on the remainder of the recording on their own and are in entertaining mode.  No performance would be complete without some of these marches where the players are marching at over a hundred beats per minute. How they do it, and still maintain the quality is a secret that should never fall into enemy hands, and although they certainly didn't march around the recording studio on this occasion, it is still some fine playing indeed.

Two selections too chose from here:  Firstly ‘Bravura' composed by conductor Calum Gray in 2003 where the band and bugles are going at around one hundred and forty beats per minute - and if that doesn't impress you, try Ian McElligott's ‘Quick Silver'. The former Brighouse MD, was by all accounts allegedly a bit of a ‘rum one', but he didn't half write a cracker here. 

The other items seem a touch sedate by comparison but are not really, as the band get to grips with the material in fine style.  Dvorak's ‘Slavonic Dance No.3' is performed with real feeling, whilst the fanfare named ‘Gavorkna' is a cracker. The lively ‘Danza Final' from Ginastera's ‘Estancia' is neatly handled and the whole disc concludes with Cecil Coles ‘Behind the Lines'.

This is a recording of complete contrast that will appeal to different tastes.  Some fine playing from the Band polished off with some exquisite playing by Richard Marshall and Brett Baker, it makes for a nice varied change from the norm.

Malcolm Wood

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

^back to top