Gramercy Music 10th Anniversary Concert - Black Dyke and HM Royal Marines
17-May-2004Gramercy Music 10th Anniversary Concert
Black Dyke Band, Dr Nicholas Childs
The Band of HM Royal Marines, Scotland, Lieut. Col. Chris Davis
Maxwell Hall, University of Salford
Compere:John Maines
In aid of The Salvation Army's Watershed Campaign
Fri
Whenever you attend a brass band concert nowadays, the likelihood is that you will hear a good mix of original music and arrangements. For some, a concert is not complete without a Rimmer march, an operatic overture (arranged for band by Frank Wright et al), some fine solo playing, and a blockbuster of a finale. Nowadays, there is every chance that the music of Dr Peter Graham will also appear in a concert, and that the music played will have been purchased from Peter's music publishing company, 'Gramercy Music' (the name coming when Peter & and his wife Janey stayed in an apartment in New York's Gramercy Park in the 80s, and jokingly suggesting should a company ever be formed, it would be called Gramercy) .
The impact of Dr Graham's music plays a massive part in the world of brass, wind and military bands today. It doesn't matter whether it's a major composition or a concert piece, the music appeals to both musician and listener alike, as will be demonstrated in Cambridge at the end of the month with Harrison's Dream being performed at the Masters.
In the presence of friends and colleagues, Dr Graham and Janey celebrated ten years of success with Gramercy Music with two superb musical ensembles; Black Dyke Band and HM Band Royal Marines from Scotland, in an evening of what has to be said was one of exceptional music-making. The two musical directors are ex-graduates of Salford, and were both delighted to go back and celebrate Peter and Janey's success.
Of course, the music (with the odd exception) was from the pen of Dr Graham, and it was Black Dyke who got things under way with Summon the Dragon. Dyke's former MD, James Watson, requested a 'John Williams style concert prelude' for The National Youth Brass Band of Wales. What a start! Dyke were certainly 'warmed up', producing a great sound that filled the hall with great affect.
Roger Webster took centre stage for a performance of Carl Hohne's, Slavishe Fantasie. 4BR's Iwan Fox in a review of 'Passport', Roger's latest solo disc, described him as 'a truly world class musical performer'. In a nutshell, this performance was one of two Dyke offerings that were out of this world. Everybody just sat back, relaxed and listened in awe at this man's brilliance. It was 'flawless' stuff, and it's not the easiest of solos either. Could it get any better? 'Yes', of which more later.
Next up were two arrangements from pen of Robin Dewhurst who is also connected with both Gramercy and Salford University. First up, Dyke's Principal Trombone player, giving a great rendition of Brasilia, before the band slowed everything down with a touch of George Gershwin in Bess you is my Woman; a wonderful sound from the band, who really were in great form.
Black Dyke concluded their 'solo slot' with a new composition from Dr Graham, entitled The Red Machine. Originally written for The Coldstream Guards, the audience heard the brass band premiere. The main theme throughout is Ein Feste Burg, a chorale by JS Bach that was appropriated by Meyerbeer for use in his opera Huguenots (anybody who watches Trooping the Colour regularly will no doubt recognise the tune). Elsewhere, musical quotes are given to Mars from Holst's Planets. It is absorbing stuff, and doesn't hold back on the tempos at all. The detail coming out from the ensemble playing was just superb. This new piece from Peter Graham had a few last minute subtle changes made to the score at the request of Black Dyke, but you'd never have known if the audience hadn't been told.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see this piece on Black Dyke concert programmes in the near future, and no doubt, on a forthcoming disc.
The concert itself was planned to go out on the World Wide Web but it had a few problems. (Technology never works when you rely on it does it?), However, if you log on to http://www.freeflowuk.com/gramercyconcert/ you can hear for yourself just what a terrific composition this is (along with other items from the concert)
Black Dyke encored with music from 'Call of the Cossacks', and a stand-alone version from the suite of the Cossack Fire Dance that features the virtuoso skills of David Thornton and Brett Baker. The quality of Dyke's performance all through their solo slot had been exceptional and the Marines band would do well to match the standard, and they certainly didn't disappoint.
Nobody had time to get their breath back as Black Dyke walked off stage, and from the back of the hall marched in The Corps of Drums from HM Royal Marines, to give a demonstration that was immaculate. The drummers knew where they were marching too, and it was impressive stuff. Whilst the Corps of Drums were giving a solo display, the musicians came onto stage to present their solo items.
First up music from Cry of the Celts premiered by YBS and David King at the Gala Concert at the Europeans in 1997. Nowadays, bands play individual items from this composition and the Marines started off with Breakout which in the original featured flugel, Iwan Williams. The version from the Scottish band, was equally as impressive as the brass only version, and it is music of this calibre that is testament to why Peter is so revered in our musical idiom. The band followed on Alloway Tales - music commissioned by YBS in 1996 to commemorate the bi-centenary of the death of Robert Burns. The title is named after Ayr where Burns was born, and within it, musical references to three of his poems: 'Duncan Gray', 'Afton Water' and The De 'ill's awa wi ' th' Exciseman'
Black Dyke's David Thornton returned on stage to join the Principal Euphonium of the Marines, Stephen Boyes in Bravura - a fantasy on British Folk Songs. It was almost as though time had stood still as it was just like listening to Robert & Nicholas Childs when they were playing together.
Lieut Col Chris Davis and the band then gave the audience some culture. Playing Goin Home from Dvorak's New World Symphony (remember the Hovis advert?), Colour Sargeant Martin Sharp stepped forward dressed as a tramp to tell a monologue that took the 'michael' out of 'Northerners', 'Whippets', 'Black Dyke Mills Band' and 'Nicholas Childs' to name just a few. Good natured fun, but brilliantly put together, hopefully it can be relived on the web.
The first half concluded with Graham's brilliant tone poem, Shine as the Light. This is a favourite wherever it is played, and this performance was absolutely 'top-draw'.
The second half was a joint affair with the bands combining to perform another Graham masterpiece, Windows of the World. Rehearsal time must have been at a premium, but these are superb musicians and they pulled it off superbly. Lesley Howie shone like a beacon in Rainforest, the Corps of Drums reappeared in Drums of Thunder (and it was balanced and not of context) and Celtic Dream which featured the euphoniums was beautifully performed.
Come the end of Earth Walk nobody was going home without another encore, and it was yet another popular Graham composition, 'Gaelforce' to round things off. Minstrel Boy was particular impressive with John Doyle, being joined by colleagues to form a 'mini-choir', but the ensemble playing was gorgeous.
This was a superb concert (what a shame it wasn't full) and a real celebration of the music of Dr Peter Graham and Gramercy Music. As well as the music, money was raised for the Salvation Army's Watershed Project. Congratulations to Dr Peter Graham and his wife Janey along with everybody else involved, (including John Maines, who was as usual a terrific compere for the night) and hopefully it won't be another ten years before a concert of this stature is held to celebrate the impact of Peter Graham's music that is enjoyed by many.
