Toccata e Fantasia
15-Dec-2010
Off with their heads! Foden's delve in fantasy land for their latest release - from Alice in Wonderland to the Mily Way...
Foden’s Band
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
De Haske: DHR 03-054-3
Total playing time: 73 mins approx
Foden’s has been pretty busy in the recording studio of late under a variety of conductors, and it would be easy to overlook this offering from De Haske.
Directed by Ian Porthouse, they present an attractive and entertaining programme of music and although the names of some of the composers do not exactly trip off the tongue, there are some interesting additions to the repertoire.
Shades of Bruckner
No doubt of particular interest, in the light of his commission to produce the test piece for the 2010 European Championships, will be the title track ‘Toccata e Fantasia’ by Thomas Doss.
The work formed part of Brass Band Oberösterreich’s winning programme in the B Section at the 2006 European Championships in Belfast. As with ‘Spiriti’, the spirit of Bruckner imbues the work, which not surprisingly bears the dedication, ‘Homage to A. B.’ (you can assume that it is not for the former Australian cricket captain Alan Border) and incorporates references to the Chorale from his ‘5th Symphony’ alongside big band and eastern influences.
Rising Sun
Two pieces originate from Japan, although Hayato Hirose draws on childhood and college days spent in the USA for his ‘American Overture’.
Premiered by the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, this reworking for brass band works very well, putting the players through their paces with some bright and sparkling ensemble writing.
Itaru Sakai’s ‘The Seventh Night of July – Tanabata’, however, is firmly rooted in Japanese culture; the title alluding to one of the country’s major annual celebrations.
The story behind the music tells of a couple separated by the Milky Way who are only able to see each other one night a year. It’s beautifully performed by the husband and wife pairing of Glyn and Helen Williams in the central section.
Soloists to the fore
Many would take issue with the statement in the notes that, ‘…pieces that showcase the euphonium are few and far between’, but nevertheless André Waignein’s ‘Euphonium Ragtime’ does offer something a little off the beaten track.
Glyn Williams also makes the most of the opportunity to shine, and although the music itself is rather predictable, it is an audience-pleaser that certainly sets the feet tapping!
The other solo item is the rather more substantial set of variations for tenor horn and band entitled ‘Irish Mood’, written by Stijn Roels and featuring the excellent Leslie Howie.
The music traverses a range of moods from the reflective to the extrovert, full of dynamic and rhythmic interest.
Jan & Jacob
Four items come from brothers Jan and Jacob de Haan: ‘Cityscapes’ (Jan) is a three movement suite drawing its inspiration from the tourist friendly destinations of New York, whilst his lively, ‘Triumphal Brass’, was written to test the bands at the 2010 Flemish Open Championship.
The more reflective ‘Consolation’ is a setting of the chorale, ‘Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten’ (If you but permit God to prevail).
Jacob composed ‘Monterosi’ to celebrate a national band competition with which he had a close association. A predominantly solemn piece, it elicits some majestic sounds.
Alice in Wonderland
Danny Elfman’s film music, to the controversial Tim Burton take on ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is enjoyable, if familiar stuff – darkly hued, but not really as intrinsically oblique as the visual elements of the film allude to.
The programme is completed by an effective arrangement by Robert van Beringen of Elgar’s ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ which draws some lovely sustained playing, and Philip Sparke’s set of ‘Three Kletzmer Miniatures’, the melodies used including the familiar ‘Hava Nagila’.
Programme notes are included in the booklet, together with biographies of the two soloists and conductor, and a potted history of the band.
What is missing is a list of the playing personnel, which is a pity as there is some excellent work on display, particularly from Richard Poole on soprano, who makes his mark throughout.
Peter Bale
What's on this CD?
1. American Overture, Hayato Hirose, 5.14
2. Ave Verum Corpus, Edward Elgar, arr. Robert Van Beringen, 2.50
Cityscapes, Jan de Haan, 8.31
3. Skyline, 3.03
4. Central Park, 2.48
5. Manhattan, 2.40
6. Irish Mood, Stijn Roels, Tenor Horn Soloist Lesley Howie, 7.11
7. Monterosi, Jacob de Haan, 4.55
8. Euphonium Ragtime, Andre Waignein, Euphonium Soloist Glyn Williams, 4.51
9. Alice in Wonderland Soundtrack Highlights, Danny Elfman, arr. Michael Brown, adpt. Klaas van der Woude, 4.28
10. Triumphal Brass, Jan de Haan, 3.19
11. The Seventh Night of July, Itaru Sakai, 8.50
Three Klezmer Miniatures, Philip Sparke, 8.38
12. Sham Harei Golan & Nigun Shel Yossi, 2.20
13. Tumbalalaika, 3.02
14. Hava Nagila, 3.16
15. Consolation — 17th Century, arr. Jan de Haan, 3.31
16. Toccata e Fantasia, Thomas Doss, 10.38
