Castell Coch
27-Dec-2005
Tongwynlais Temperance Silver Band
Conductors: Gareth Pritchard and Bryn James
Soloists: Martyn Patterson; Duncan Broadley.
TTSB Recordings: CD101
Total Playing Time: 72.03
The word temperance is not one that nowadays you would readily associate with a brass band and its activities, but just over 100 years ago, the almost evangelical religious purge to save wayward souls from the demons of drink held such sway that it was believed that one of the possible virtues of playing in brass bands was that it meant that febrile minds and weak bodies could be tempted away from the bottle long enough to enjoy the more wholesome activities of music making.
At its peak, there were even bands who rejoiced in the name ‘Total Abstinence', but following the last great religious revival in Wales, in particular in 1904, the connection between brass bands and the temperance movement became as weak as the alcoholic content of a Top Deck shandy. Today, there are still a few bands that proudly keep the name in their title, but it is doubtful if there is any that that put it into practice.
One such band is Tongwynlais Temperance Silver, who were established in 1888 and have over the subsequent 117 years been a proud and hard working band in South East Wales, mostly in the lower sections, but in the past ten years or so climbing into the top strata and becoming one of the more successful bands at Welsh contests as well as at the second and third tier of national contests.
In the last couple of years in particular they have been promoted to the Senior Cup at the Grand Shield Festival, come runners up at Pontins and won the 2004 National Eisteddfod of Wales and Welsh League (the new version of the old Welsh Championships). The cover of the CD shows the famous old Welsh Mineworkers Trophy which is now presented to the Welsh League Champions and which used to be presented to the winners at the Welsh CISWO Contest before the demise of the Welsh mining industry).
This release showcases the current band, and the diverse and eclectic programme provides for an enjoyable hour and ten minutes of brass band playing.
The 16 items cover everything from the ever present ‘Irish Blessing' through to some Duke Ellington via Bizet, Glinka, Mozart, Sparke Graham and of course their most famous compositional son, TJ Powell and his march ‘Castell Coch' – ‘The Red Castle', which is the mock medieval folly which stands above the Tongwynlais village and which was built by the 3rd Marquis of Bute on the ruins of the original 13th century structure. The march is about as well known now as the castle itself and is given an authentic airing here.
Elsewhere on the release the content does vary in quality from the very good to the very average, with the major weakness being a ‘close' recording ambience, which tends to make the band sound harsh and brash far too often. Lots of bands are undertaking their own recording projects nowadays, but the difference between a gifted self promoted production and a quality professional release is still very marked, and this CD could have benefited from additional, and dispassionate input in the production process: There are far too many lapses in concentration, poor ensemble and niggling mistakes which have been allowed through the editing process and which take the gloss off some impressive performances.
The two soloists are a case in point. Both Duncan Broadley and Martyn Patterson are high class players and both give admirable performances of the four solo items they contribute. However, a bit more time and a perhaps a harder line approach in the editing booth to cut out some sloppy moments of playing and these would have been stand out items indeed.
That said, there is a very meaty and confident performance of ‘Dances and Arias', the piece which gave the band the runners up spot at Pontins in 2004 which really does show that they are a quality band when they are really on top of things, and the same can be said of the compact ‘Prelude on Tallis' and the well shaped ‘In Perfect Piece' and neat ‘Cute'.
Many of the others though are not in the same league and you do wince at times at some very average playing from a band that you know can play so much better.
In many ways this is a release which tells you a great deal about he band who perform on it - and that isn't a bad thing. The good points do outweigh the not so good, but it is a release that could and should have showcased a quality band so much better.
Iwan Fox
What's on this CD?
1. Prelude on Tallis, Peter Graham, 2.33
2. Caravan, Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol, arr. Steve Sykes, 3.48
3. Endearing Young Charms, Euphonium Soloist: Martyn Patterson, Stanley H. Boddington, 6.53
4. In Perfect Piece, Kenneth Downie, 3.45
5. Castell Coch, T. J. Powell, 4.14
6. Hungarian Dance, Cornet Soloist: Duncan Broadley, Brahms/Rafael, arr. Derek Barnes, 4.22
7. Flower Song, Euphonium Soloist: Martyn Patterson, George Bizet, arr. Martyn Patterson, 3.42
8. Softly Softly, Bridget Fry, arr. Ray Farr, 2.44
9. Light Walk, Barrie Gott, 3.45
10. Irish Blessing, Joyce Eilers Bacak, arr. Stephen Bradnum, 2.59
11. Cute, Neal Hefti, arr. Philip Sparke, 3.48
12. Cherry Pink, Cornet Soloist: Duncan Broadley, Louiguy, arr. Philip Sparke, 1.43
13. Soave Sia il Vento, W. A. Mozart, arr. Simon Kerwin, 2.50
14. Ravenswood, William Rimmer, 4.55
15. Russian and Ludemilla Overture, Mikhail Glinka, arr Howard Snell, 5.32
16. Dances and Arias, Edward Gregson, 13.52
Total CD playing time: 72.03
