Conductor: Dr Robert Childs
Soloists: David Childs, Joanne Childs, Owen Farr, Thomas Hutchinson, Bert Van Thienen, Chris Thomas, Gavin Pritchard
Doyen: DOYCD239
Total Playing Time: Approx 1 hour
 
Dr Robert Childs and the mighty Cory Band is a combination that can do little wrong at the present time.

The Welsh Champion might have missed out on a fourth consecutive European Championship victory in Montreux, but with the compensation of a fifth British Open title secured in spectacular fashion, this first ‘concert’ volume demonstrates that the band’s technical virtuosity on the contest stage is matched by it’s ability to entertain in the concert hall.  

Clever

A diverse, thoughtfully structured programme features Cory’s familiar line up of soloists cleverly weaved between some well worn favourites.

These come in the form of  ‘The Pines of Rome’, ‘Ruslan & Ludmilla’ (albeit in a freshly minted arrangement by Robert Childs) and ‘Capriccio Espagnol’, with more recent fare.

These include Philip Wilby’s thematically unremarkable yet spectacularly scored ‘Into the Light’, Karl Jenkins’ heroic, battle charged ‘Cu Chullain’ from ‘Adiemus’ and Cai Isfryn’s easy going, but undeniably charming, ‘Branwen’.

It’s an intoxicating mix that rarely lets the musical pace slack.  

Ebullience

With Bob Childs’ refreshing new arrangement, the ebullience and precision of ensemble on display in ‘Ruslan & Ludmilla’ breathes new life into Glinka’s old warhorse, whilst Keith Wilkinson’s transcription of Rimsky Korsakov’s colourful picture of Spain is irresistible when delivered with this amount of panache.  

If the band’s ‘Tribute to Glenn Miller’ doesn’t swing in true big band fashion, it’s more than compensated for by the majestic renditions of ‘Into the Light’ and ‘The Pines of Rome’ that frame the disc - the blazing conclusion of the latter evoking vivid memories of Desford’s entertainment heyday in the 1980’s.   

In calmer contrast, Karl Jenkins’ subtle harmonisation of ‘Abide with Me’ is captured with pathos and inner peace, with the charming interlude from Humperdinck’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’, ‘An Evening Prayer’, making the perfect foil to the showpieces that initially grab the listener’s attention.          
      
Growing maturity

Amongst the soloists, Tom Hutchinson continues to grow in maturity (as evidenced by his performance on ‘Red Priest’ at the British Open), delivering a stylish, open toned account of the Harry James version of ‘Carnival of Venice’.  

Dan Price’s surprisingly substantial ‘Moonbeams’, is a melodically appealing and deftly coloured depiction of the lunar reflection on water.

It’s an excellent vehicle for Joanne Childs on flugel, whilst her husband David displays pyrotechnics of staggering propensity in ‘A Troika? Tidy!’ from the Karl Jenkins ‘Euphonium Concerto’ - even though it’s music more beneficially heard in its entirety.  

Chris Thomas, Bert van Thienen and Gavin Pritchard also ply their trade with aplomb, although special mention has to go to Owen Farr whose playing of his own arrangement of the 'Finale' from Haydn’s ‘Cello Concerto’ perfectly sums up just what a complete performer he is.       

Coloured warmth

It’s not just the sheer technical brilliance of Cory’s playing that impresses though.

Listen to the coloured warmth of sound in the closing bars of the exquisite ‘An Evening Prayer’ or the transparency of the balance amidst the sparkling scoring of ‘Into the Light’, and you know immediately that this is a group of musicians who are innately aware of what is going on around them.   

With playing of this quality allied with a generous dose of entertainment value, it’s impossible not to look forward to the second instalment of Cory in Concert with anything but eager anticipation.   

Christopher Thomas

Contents

1. Into the Light, Philip Wilby, 3.41
2. Ruslan and Ludmilla, Mikhail Glinka, arr. Robert Childs, 5.02
3. Carnival of Venice, Harry James, arr. Mark Freeh, Thomas Hutchinson (Cornet), 2.43
4. Cu Chullain, Karl Jenkins, arr. Tony Small, 4.47
5. Moonbeams, Dan Price, Joanne Childs (Flugel Horn), 6.57
6. Abide With Me, William Monk, arr. Karl Jenkins and Peter Graham, 2.37
7. Finale from Cello Concerto, Joseph Haydn, arr. Owen Farr, Owen Farr (Tenor Horn), 4.07
8. An Evening Prayer, Engelbert Humperdinck, arr. Robert Childs, 3.04
9. Capriccio for Trombone, Philip Sparke, Christopher Thomas (Trombone), 3.41
10. Tribute to Glenn Miller, Glenn Miller, arr. Dan Price and Barry Forgie, 3.45
11. Branwen, Cai Isfryn, Bert Van Thienen (Soprano Cornet), 2.28
12. Light Walk, Barrie Gott, 3.17
13. A Troika? Tidy!, Karl Jenkins, David Childs (Euphonium), 5.46
14. Capriccio Espagnol, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Keith Wilkinson, 4.27
15. Erinnerung an Zirkus Renz, Gustav Peter, arr. Ray Woodfield, Gavin Pritchard (Xylophone) 2.57
16. The Appian Way from The Pines of Rome, Ottorino Respighi, arr. Howard Snell, 5.26