The International Staff Band of the Salvation Army
26-Feb-2003Conducted by Bandmaster Stephen Cobb
Wakefield Cathedral
22nd February 2003
This concert was the beginning of a whole weekend of Christian music ministry for the Castleford Salvation Army Centre. The ISB provides THE benchmark for Salvation Army bands everywhere, they do so by leading worship services and providing concerts to various SA churches throughout the UK as well participating in a number of high profile concert/festivals as they have done recently with the Black Dyke Band. This evening the band was in the heartland of brass banding and was playing to a packed audience in the beautiful setting of Wakefield Cathedral.
The evening got off to an intriguing start - Toccata by Martin Cordner. In the same mould as Ray Farr's arrangement of Bach's original theme, Cordner employs the modern worship song ‘My lord what love is this'. Bach and Christian rock?!? Unusual combination but somehow it worked and provided a thrilling start to the concert.
Bandmaster Cobb is the head of the SA's Music Ministries Unit and Dr Peter Graham devotes some of his time to this department in an editorial capacity. This was very much in evidence as no less than 6 of his works were featured during the evening. The Band's three major works were all from this composer, the first of which was ‘Renaissance'. Written as a sequel to his hugely popular ‘Shine as the Light', this work was first performed at the Royal Academy by the band in 1999. Although much used since, (they also recorded it on their CD of the same name) it still came across as fresh. The finale uses the tune ‘Laudes Domini' and provides some ‘spine tingling' moments. The very last moments are reminiscent of Sparke's ‘Variations on an enigma' - giving an indication of the depth of sound and stamina required - the band was more than up to the challenge.
They then featured two of its most established soloists. Andrew Justice was officially programmed but Kevin Ashman deputised for the unwell Rob Gill who played but only just after a week of suffering tonsillitis. With almost 40 years of service between them, both Kevin and Andrew epitomised the high levels of consistency that have been the hallmarks of their long service with the band. Kevin in particular received a long ovation for his work in Bulla's soprano cornet solo ‘The Higher Plane'. Andrew was equally strong in his interpretation of Ray Steadman-Allen's "Fantasy on Spirituals for Trombone".
Two contrasting items followed, the moving ‘On a hymn song by Phillip Bliss" and then a furious rendition of the ‘Comedians Galop' - distinguished by some slick xylophone work.
‘Essence of Time' was written by Peter Graham for the 1990 European Championships set test piece, where Black Dyke Mills were the winners under David King. Since the SA's recent ruling that their bands can now use ‘non-army' published music a number of it's leading ensembles have started using test pieces such as this. The fact that the work takes inspiration from the Book of Ecclesiastes is proof enough of its value in the SA repertoire. The ISB produced an accomplished performance with its soloists making their mark. Gary Rose is the band vocal soloist and was featured as such before this work, but his excellent work on baritone was very much in evidence is "Essence" and indeed throughout the evening. His sound was warm rich, and full of character. Thanks to both band and conductor for concluding the first half in such a memorable way.
The second half progressed in a much lighter vein commencing with Kevin Norbury's ‘Hallelujah Parade'. A far cry from the composers' usual style, the piece starts with a sextet of New Orleans funeral band members making their way through the audience to join the full ensemble for a quick band number - the band had great fun! They regained their composure for an assured reading of "Prelude on Tallis" which brought both Band and audience back to earth!
A third established soloist was featured. Derick Kane was one of the ‘star' euphoniums who featured ‘Bravura' at the RAH Jubilee Brass Concert in October. It has been since re-scored for one soloist. For those who have heard Peter Graham's ‘Brillante', their is a sense of de ja vous when you hear this ‘new' work but this really didn't matter - Derick is simply one of the best players around who seems to get better and better. He zipped through this fantasia on British tunes with ease it seemed.
Following the catchy ‘Ask' and then Norbury's ‘Flourish and Dances' the band was ready for it's finale. Peter Grahams third major offering of the evening came in the form of "The Last Amen". This work features a number of contemporary Christian songs and for those present who knew them, it was refreshing to hear the new slant the composer had given them. As Bandmaster Cobb explained, this work is different from Dr Grahams other major offerings but still contained some his trademarks. The ending is typical of the composer, building gradually in excitement before finishing on this occasion with the glorious ‘Total Praise' statement.
The band signed off with the classic Wilfred Heaton March ‘Praise' - when listening to it played it felt a shame that we hadn't heard more that evening from Heaton, or some of the other great SA composers such as Dean Goffin and Eric Ball. This is no reflection on the fine music offered however, and only a minor quibble on an evening when the ISB demonstrated why they are held in such high regard. They produced not only fine playing but a presented a vibrant Christian message.