Master Brass - Volume 19
12-Nov-2008
Quite a few eyebrows were raised at Cambridge this year - from Desford's victory to the 'Russellgate' quibble. All worth revisiting a second time then with this release?
Featuring: Desford Colliery, Scottish Co-op, Fairey, Youth Brass 2000
Conductors: Nigel Seaman, Allan Ramsay, Philip Chalk, Chris Jeans
Soloist: Russell Gray
Polyphonic Recordings: QPRL228D
Total Playing Time: 74.54
The 2008 All England Masters International Brass Band Championship (to give it its full and proper name) was a bit of a strange old affair.
The result of course raised the odd eyebrow or two – although that has been par for the course at the Corn Exchange ever since the contest started in 1989. It was compounded this year however by ‘Russellgate’ – the rather intriguing, but tiresome mini quibble that arose in certain quarters over registration issues (as the best lawyers told us to say) that may or may not have been infringed by the eventual winners.
No case to answer
In the end, there was no case to answer (although the question of another competitor that took to the stage with an extra player was never really looked into) and so this recording of the highlights of the contest features the official, non-judicial review winning performance from Desford.
Their performance of Martin Ellerby’s affectionate ‘Malcolm Arnold Variations’ is a stylish, witty affair; full of nuance, subtle pace and colour – the obvious attributes so apparent in the skilful compositional writing.
It is not without error or fault (much like Arnold himself), and whilst it may not have perhaps found favour with many listeners in the hall, it certainly found favour with the three men in the box – and that’s what all that mattered. It was, as we said at the time, a performance of elegant style over workmanlike substance – a combination that in too many hands throughout the contest was very much reversed, much to the detriment of the music.
On second hearing it is also a piece that rather grows on you too – a harder test than many thought and a piece worthy of being used at major championship level in the not too distant future.
Gala Concert
With the rather overlong contest ended (there were 21 bands) the Masters Gala Concert took place later in the evening with the combined forces of Scottish Co-op, Fairey and Russell Gray.
Earlier, Youth Brass 2000 had provided a welcome break for the contesting tedium with a well executed entertainment spot prior to the announcement of the results. Chris Jeans led the band in a polished choreographed set that showcased their talents to the full – as shown here with ‘Mack the Knife’.
Stamina and professionlism
Both Fairey and Scottish Co-op didn’t fare too well at the contest itself (coming 9th and 17th respectively); although to their credit they went on to provide a decent audience with well polished (if very familiar) items in the Gala Concert.
The individual programmes of both bands were well played, even if there is a sense at times that concentration wasn’t quite at ‘contest’ intensity levels. It was a long day for both bands though, so medals (if not prizes) for stamina and professionalism.
Russell Gray meanwhile was a very persuasive, as well as exuberant soloist, with classy renditions of ‘Jubilance’ and ‘Share My Yolk’ that more than made amends for his disappointing return with the baton (Carlton Main came 18th) earlier in the day.
All three contributors to the evening would surely have liked to have gone home with more than just the well merited applause from the appreciative audience though.
Not up to scratch
Polyphonic do a fine job of bringing life to the notoriously poor acoustic at the Corn Exchange, although the CD could do with substantially more informative sleeve notes, which are not really up to scratch – there is a chance to tell us much, much more about the day and the pieces (especially the test piece) on show.
In retrospect, a long day came to a close with players, conductors, officials and even the odd member of the press corps, having plenty to mull over, and this release gives ample opportunity to reinvigorate some of those arguments again.
In its way that should be what contesting is all about, and the Masters to give it its due, continues to do that year in year out.
Iwan Fox
What's on this CD?
1. Under the Double Eagle, Josef Wagner�����The Fairey Band�����3.32
2. Festive Overture Edelman, Scottish Co-op, 6.31
3. Pastorale Goff Richards, The Fairey Band, 4.49
4. Jubilance, William Himes, Russell Gray (Cornet) with Scottish Co-op, 8.33
5. Just a Closer Walk, Trad arr. Bill Geldard The Fairey Band, 4.29
6. Malcolm Arnold Variations, Martin Ellerby, Desford Colliery Band, 15.42
7. Crimond, Jessie Irvine arr. Goff Richards, Scottish Co-op, 3.33
8. Norwegian Dance, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, The Fairey Band, 3.47
9. Share My Yoke, Joy Webb arr. Ivor Bosanko, Russell Gray (Cornet) with Scottish Co-op, 4.26
10. Glorifico Aeternum, Dean Jones, Scottish Co-op, 4.53
11. The Corsair, Hector Berlioz arr. Geoffrey Brand, The Fairey Band, 8.08
12. Able, Turkington arr. William Himes Scottish Co-op, 3.15
13. Mack the Knife, Kurt Weill, Youth Brass 2000 3.11
