Tribute

Tribute to the Life and Music of Norman Bearcroft
Various performers
SP&S: SPS 213 CD
Total playing time: 55.35 mins

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To mark the 80th birthday of Norman Bearcroft, SP&S have put together a tribute made up of previously released material, including a number of tracks by the groups and individuals for whom the music was written. 

The choice includes four solos for brass, including a notable premiere recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, two of his many foot-tapping marches, and vocal items by the International Staff Songsters, the group that he formed in 1980 at the behest of then General Arnold Brown.  The recording was launched in June at a special birthday concert at London's Regent Hall, featuring many of the same performers.

The two marches are taken from "Troops Salute", an all-Bearcroft recording produced by the Household Troops Band under John Mott.  "Bournemouth Centennial" makes for a good opener: written to mark the centenary of the work of the Salvation Army in the Bournemouth area, it features a number of bright songs and choruses, including "All things Bright and Beautiful", "The Day of Victory's Coming" and a brief reference to "I do like to be beside the Seaside".  "Wreath of Courage", which closes the disc, is more recent, and has something of the bugle band about it, inspired as it was by images of a handful of bandsmen from Worthing with trumpets and drums marching forward in the face of violent opposition.

The International Staff Songsters were formed to provide a showcase for Salvation Army vocal music, and in particular to be a vehicle to present new compositions and arrangements, much as the ISB does for band music.  From the outset their repertoire included brand new compositions, fresh arrangements of old Salvation Army classics, and settings marrying established lyrics to secular melodies, and all three aspects are included. 

"Reflections" is an original composition, setting three poems by Catherine Baird and written in a very free form, following the shape of the poetry, and illustrating the impeccable intonation of the group.  "The Well is Deep" combines verses by General Albert Orsborn with the tune by Harry Woods and Gus Kahn "The Voice in the Old Village Choir", the performance being notable for the intelligent phrasing, whilst Jacqui Proctor is heard to good effect in a sensitive treatment for voice and piano of "Lord with my all I Part".

"The Better World" was written for Derick Kane soon after his arrival at the ISB: exploiting his expertise in the upper register of the instrument, it was first performed at the 1978 International Congress, when the New York Staff Band, Melbourne Staff Band and ISB shared the platform at the Royal Albert Hall, giving two identical programmes due to the demand for tickets.  The pyrotechnics of the outer sections are contrasted with the smooth lines of the central movement, and in this early recording Derick plays with his customary finesse and style.

The gem of this reissue is the inclusion of Richard Martin playing "Song of Exultation", recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1979.  Richard, currently Principal Trumpet with the Northern Sinfonia, and whose professional career has included a 6 year spell with Paul Archibald's English Brass Ensemble, was at that time playing 2nd man down at Enfield Citadel, and his rendition is full of youthful exuberance as well as considerable technical skill. 

The outer movements are based on an old song dating from 1889 entitled "I Hate the Devil", whilst the melody "Unsworth", featured in the centre section, may be familiar from Len Ballantine's setting "I know Thou Art Mine". He is accompanied by the International Staff Band, unfortunately not at their best, but this detracts little from the enjoyment of such a fine soloist.  It is not note-perfect, but the applause included at the end of the track gives some idea of the reaction of the audience on the day, of which your present reviewer was one.  (Let us hope that more recordings from the Councils Festivals over the years will also find their way onto cd, as there is a vast resource to draw upon.)

Kevin Ashman, currently Principal Cornet with the ISB, played soprano with them for many years, and "High Fidelity" was written for him.  It is good to be reminded of his clear, bright sound and delicate touch on the smaller instrument, both in the ornamentation and also in the slow central movement.  The melody "That old, old story is true" comes from an Ira D. Sankey collection, and the composer remembers his mother singing it when he was a child.

The final solo, "Word of Grace", is presented by Bob Merritt, for many years Principal Trombone with the Canadian Staff Band, which Norman Bearcroft reformed in 1969, carrying on a tradition that had been cut short by the loss of many of the original band when the "Empress of Ireland" sank as she was about to bring them to the 1914 Congress in London.  It is a reflective setting of the song "Christ Receiveth Sinful Men", calling for great control on behalf of the soloist, whose class comes across well, despite this recording dating back many years.

Hendon Band present "Every Time I feel the Spirit", set not in the customary up-tempo style, but in much more contemplative fashion, with the emphasis placed firmly on the phrase at the end of each line: "I will Pray".

All in all, it is a fitting tribute, although it would have been good to have a couple of examples of his other work for band, such as the "Three Spirituals" or "Songs of Newfoundland".  The sleeve note by Kevin Ashman provides an overview of Norman Bearcroft's career, but there are no details about the individual pieces, which is a pity, particularly when there are often such strong links between the composer and the performers. 

With the recordings being taken from various sources, some being more than 25 years old, there is bound to be considerable variance from one to the other, but this does not prove too off-putting.  The running time is quite short and many potential purchasers may well have several of the tracks in their collection already, but if the selection appeals it is certainly an enjoyable release, with "Song of Exultation" being the icing on the cake.

Peter Bale

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