On 1st March 1916 the Welsh Guards Band conducted its first public duties; mounting guard in the morning and presenting a concert in the evening.
100 years on and there was an expectant buzz as former members, family and friends met in the Guards Chapel to mark the centenary of that auspicious start.
Fanfares old and new
The 'National Anthem' was followed by 'Summon the Dragon', revealing a band on good form, although it was a sign of the times that the numbers were augmented by a few players from the Coldstream, Grenadier and Irish Guards.
Then it was back in time to a staple of military band performance for over 250 years - the 'Overture from the Royal Fireworks' was given a suitably elegant reading, with oboes, bassoons and horns prominent.
The first soloist to be featured was L/Cpl Nick Walkley, making his final appearance before embarking on a civilian career. He produced a fine account of 'Grand Russian Fantasia', although the accompaniment seemed a little sluggish at times.
Choral music often transcribes well for band, and there were some lovely sounds in 'O Magnum Mysterium', with its slowly changing harmonic and sustained lines.
Snapshots of New York
Nigel Hess's 'East Coast Pictures' drew the first half to a close with its three contrasting movements.
Highlights included the oboe and cor anglais duet and the glockenspiel and vibraphone in 'Shelter Island', the chamber music textures of 'The Catskills' and the decadence of the saxophone in 'New York'.
Bandstand favourites
'Birdcage Walk' fittingly opened the second half, having been written by former Director of Music Leslie Statham under the pseudonym Arnold Steck. 'Pineapple Poll' is another bandstand favourite, and it was good to hear Sullivan's melodies in their new guise, although the fast tempo caused a few problems fitting in the grace notes in the opening number.
Clarinet premiere
L/Cpl Natalie White was the accomplished solo in 'The Fallen', the second movement of a new clarinet concerto by Jeffery Wilson. Commemorating the casualties of war, it made effective use of the melody 'David of the White Rock', with some first-class high register playing.
There was an opportunity to hear the original 1916 band in a re-mastered recording of 'Blaze Away', the present players, augmented by several former members, joining in half way through. There was more nostalgia with an exuberant 10-man performance of 'Buglers Holiday', the team of past and present players including amongst its number Stewart Gaudion, Trevor Stubbington and Ralph Brill.
Celtic finale
Three movements from 'Day of the Dragon' provided the finale: 'Welsh Clog Dance', 'Lullaby - Suo Gan' (featuring a fine trombone solo), and 'Triumph - Men of Harlech'. The high energy finale kept the five-man percussion section busy leading into the fugato presentation of the tune, with a big finish crowned with Peter Graham's trademark tamtam.
An un-programmed item acknowledged the presence of Barry Mason, the writer of 'Delilah'. It was then time for the traditional ending, with L/Sgt Stuart Laing featured on cornet in 'Nightfall in Camp', the regimental quick march 'Rising of the Lark' and 'Land of My Fathers'.
Peter Bale
