Versatility

Daniel Powell
Leyland Band and Jonathan Martindale
Conductor: Russell Gray
Amadeus Recordings: AMS094
Total Playing Time: Approx 60 mins

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

Higginbottom, Rushworth, White & Powell might sound the name of your local welcoming solicitors but they're also the name of four tenor horn soloists who've made solo recordings with various ensembles down the years.

All of them will be familiar to banding aficionados.  Gordon Higginbottom needs no introduction at all and his performances on the horn were the stuff of legend.  William Rushworth made his playing comeback in top-flight banding at The Open with Grimethorpe and although he always kept his lip in and carried on playing, conducting bands has become one of his passions. When he was performing on a regular basis, his contributions to any bands performance were noteworthy as his recording ‘The Classic Horn Collection' with JJB Sports Leyland Band (as they were then) will testify.

Sheona White needs no introduction whatsoever and in recent years has set the standard for other tenor horn players to follow - something that is a very tall order to emulate. Her ‘Voice of the Tenor Horn' recording is very much the modern day definitive guide on how to play the instrument.

This brings in the last of the four surnames mentioned; Daniel Powell, who is the latest talented individual to record a solo CD.  The tenor horn as a solo instrument has been rather neglected over the years, but with some very talented individuals around (Sandy Smith, Melvyn Bathgate, Owen Farr – to name just three in addition to those already mentioned) it features far more prominently as a solo instrument nowadays whilst composers are more than happy to test the capabilities of a horn player in solo items, let alone test pieces– ‘Vienna Nights' being the latest case in point.

Daniel Powell has been around the banding scene for a long time learning his craft, starting off in the Leicestershire area and now finding himself studying at the RNCM in Manchester.  This recording was made with Leyland in August 2005, so it is a little while coming to us, and he now finds himself at Brighouse & Rastrick. Both bands though are clearly indicative measures of his talent that gives a clear indication that here is a young man that has a very bright future ahead of him.  Earlier in 2006, Daniel reached the final of BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist Competition, raising his profile even more, although it was arguably in 2000 when he was awarded a BBC Fame Academy bursary that his name first came into prominence nationally.

This recording is an eclectic mix of some of the more familiar horn solos from down the years allied to some serious challenging repertoire, of which the soloist comes out with great credit.

Herbert Clarke's ‘The Debutante', ‘Demelza' by Hugh Nash (whose real name is of course, Goff Richards) the ‘Finale' from Mendelssohn's ‘Violin Concerto' and ‘Lark in the Clear Air' from this reviewers perspective demonstrate the soloist at his best on the recording.  Daniel clearly shows the numerous facets you need to be a top class player – great well centered tone, fine understanding of the musical line and phrasing, secure technique and nerveless performing blood coursing through his veins. He does come across as completely at ease during the performances.

The Schmidt ‘Horn Concerto', Butterworth's ‘Saxhorn Sonata' and Rob Collinson's ‘Fantasy for Tenor Horn' are far more complex in their execution, but the soloist really does dig deep in engineering polished performances. The Collinson work in particular, whilst different, proves to be enjoyable listening.

The post production work on the CD though is poor. Sadly, for you the listener (not too mention this reviewer) there is no information on any of the pieces performed – this is most frustrating in the case of the serious repertoire – necessitating a search on the internet to get background information and an understanding of the various composers intentions when composing the works. That is a real oversight, whilst someone should have really proof read the notes, which at times wouldn't pass a GCSE in English grammar. 

No mention is given to Leyland's conductor, Russell Gray either, but credit goes to Leyland for their accompaniment throughout the recording – they blend into the background beautifully when required in addition to coming to the fore when it's required.  The same can be said for pianist, Jonathan Martindale.

Apart from those gripes, the standard of the performances are such that they deserve a great deal of credit and this is a recording that will certainly appeal to players and listeners alike.  Daniel Powell gives an indication of what performing glories lie ahead in the years to come. 

Malcolm Wood

~ Buy with 4barsrest shopping

^back to top