International Staff Band of the Salvation Army
Conductors: Bandmaster Dr Stephen Cobb, Dr Robert Childs
Soloists: David Childs, Philip Cobb, Derick Kane
Vocalist: Charlie Green
Royal College of Music
London
Friday 4th October
Looking back on people’s lives is usually the preserve of memorial services and award anthologies. It always makes for a much more uplifting experience though when the person in question is still very much alive and kicking.
Thankfully that was the case with this celebration of the musical life of composer Peter Graham, which took place less than 24 hours before his work ‘Harrison’s Dream’ was to be used as the set-test at the National Final.
His self-deprecating humour ensured that there was a distinct lack of misplaced pomposity about an evening that mapped an affectionate narrative path through his diverse compositional career.
Generosity of spirit
What was marked however was a generosity of spirit that focussed his personal appreciation of achievement through the sumptuous performances from Philip Cobb on ‘Songs in the Heart’ and ‘Whirlwind’ and David Childs with the ’Force of Nature’ concerto.
What was marked however was a generosity of spirit that focussed his personal appreciation of achievement through the sumptuous performances from Philip Cobb on ‘Songs in the Heart’ and ‘Whirlwind’ and David Childs with the ’Force of Nature’ concerto.
Vocalist Charlie Green added neat segues of genres with ‘It’s a Wonderful Day’ and ‘The First Step’ whilst there was a lovely moment of recognition to Derick Kane who joined David Childs for ‘Glorious Ventures’.
The ISB was also on fine form – led with understated authority by Dr Stephen Cobb in works large and small, picked by the composer in affection and homage.
Hop, skip and jump
The sprightly ‘Temple 85’ march and Eric Ball’s wonderfully inventive variant ‘Sound out the Proclamation’ were balanced by Ray Steadman’s subtly genial treatment of ‘Kum ba yah’ and a resonant take on his own ground breaking (for him as he said) ‘Essence of Time’.
‘Hail SLC!’, 'Shine As The Light' and the tastiest of lollipop cornet and euph duets to add to ‘Cossack Fire Dance’ and the finale from ‘Gaelforce’ sent the audience into the London night with a Michael Flatley hop, skip and jump in their step.
Iwan Fox
