Williams Fairey Engineering Band
Major Peter Parkes
Stars in Brass Recordings, SIB000CD-2
Total Playing Time: 60.23

This re-release is a welcome opportunity to listen once more to one of the great brass bands of the last 30 years.

Fairey’s under Major Peter Parkes was simply sensational, (both perhaps at their performance peak) and this recording is testament to the high musical standards that they produced on the contest and concert stage.  

Champions

Eighteen months after this release, they went on to achieve a British Open/Nationals double and claim the European title. They were some band under the Major.  

With the distinguished Brian Taylor on top man, and with the likes of Sandy Smith, Peter Christian, Craig Bennett, Mike Kilroy and Simon Johnson in principal positions, they were backed by one of the great bass sections of any generation - Shaun Crowther, Simon Gresswell, Geoff Harrop and Derek Jackson.

Landmark

This landmark recording from 1992 was re-issued prior to the death of Major Peter Parkes, and serves as a wonderful musical memorial to one of the movement’s most inspiring conductors.

Music from Berlioz transcribes well for brass (although the Frank Wright arrangements have faded in colour somewhat over the years and are in need of an overhaul to really bring to life), especially when its played with such brilliance as this.

‘Hungarian March’ is bold and purposeful, rich in sonority but without harsh metallic detail spoiling the pin point precision and ensemble clarity.

‘Le Carnival Romain’ is a lightening-fast, edge-of-the-seat interpretation.  Not only does the conductor capture the free flowing lyrical beauty of the work, with Mike Kilroy providing some full throat cantabile euphonium playing, but its all delivered with a technical security that in the run for home is taken at Formula 1 pace.  

Arrangements

In addition to the wonderful direction, the recording features three Major Parkes arrangements. 

The minuet of the ‘Will O’ the Wisps’ is beautifully judged in style and delivery, whilst the delicacy of ‘Ballet Des Sylphs’ is a mini masterclass in brass band refinement.

The Frank Wright arrangements are dated now, but remain a staple diet of the brass band repertoire.

‘Judges of the Secret Court’ receives a performance of technical brilliance and is rock solid in delivery, whilst the fiendishly hard ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ is played with real bravura - a rendition full of excitement, gusto and flair.

Malevolent

'Le Corsair’ is inspired by a story of Fenimore Cooper called ‘The Red Rover’, and Geoffrey Brand’s sparkling, yet straight forward arrangement showcases Fairey at their very best – facile, precise and thrilling in a performance of clarity and style.

To close, the Parkes arrangement of ‘Witches Sabbath’, which brings out the dark, malevolent sense of drama without recourse to bombast and caricature.

This recording maybe a trip down memory lane, but it’s a fabulous way to recall a brilliant band on exceptional from under one of the true greats of the banding movement.

Malcolm Wood

Contents

1. Hungarian March, Berlioz, arr. Philip Catilinet, 4.32
2. Carnival Romain, Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright, 8.32
3. Will O'The Wisps, Berlioz, arr. Peter Parkes, 5.46
4. Judges of the Secret Court, Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright, 12.25
5. The Corsiar, Berlioz, arr. Geoffrey Brand, 8.15
6. Ballet Des Sylphs, Berlioz, arr. Peter Parkes, 3.01
7. Benvenuto Cellini, Berlioz, arr. Frank Wright, 10.49
8. Witches Sabbath, Berlioz, arr. Peter Parkes, 7.03

Total playing time 60.23