The critical acclaim that greeted the recent Chandos release by Black Dyke of the music of Arthur Bliss was a timely reminder of the connection the recording label maintained with the Queensbury band for a decade under the direction of Major Peter Parkes.
His friendship with Chandos founder Brian Couzens and his close working relationship with his son Ralph (sound engineer and producer) was key to a series of outstanding recordings; from the first, ‘Black Dyke Band Plays Wings’ in 1979, through to ‘Blitz’ (also the first on CD), the seminal ‘The Complete Champions’, to this final release in December 1989 (also on CD: 8793).
Mature ensemble
Each was eagerly awaited, the performance quality backed by production values that maintained the hallmark pyramid sound of a mature ensemble that despite undergoing change and not winning a major title since the 1987 European, was still the pre-eminent band of its generation.
Recorded just a month before the 14-year multi-title partnership ended (Chandos followed Parkes in leaving Queensbury), it features contributions from soloists Roger Webster and Robert Childs who had joined in 1988, alongside Sandy Smith (1981), Norman Law (1984) and Philip Shaw (1987).
Catalyst
The catalyst for the recording came from a chance meeting between Peter Parkes and composer Joseph Horovitz at the Royal Albert Hall National Final in 1988 (Black Dyke hadn’t qualified from the Yorkshire Area, with the MD taking Ever Ready).
His ‘Euphonium Concerto’ had long been a regarded as landmark concerto work (premiered in 1972 by Trevor Groom), with Parkes working on it with Robert Childs earlier in the year. Its inclusion was a given, the performance elicited from the soloist one of majestic consideration.
Although certainly not a ‘Concerto’ in construction, Gareth Wood’s ‘Concertino for Tenor Horn’ provides a compact showcase for the consummate talents of Sandy Smith in a work that much like the Horovitz is more a vehicle for engaging eloquence than technical pyrotechnics.
Although certainly not a ‘Concerto’ in construction, Gareth Wood’s ‘Concertino for Tenor Horn’ provides a compact showcase for the consummate talents of Sandy Smith in a work that much like the Horovitz is more a vehicle for engaging eloquence than technical pyrotechnics.
Norman Law draws on a rich orchestral tonality to his decisive lead on the Rimsky-Korsakov ‘Trombone Concerto’, so cleverly arranged by Gordon Langford. It was though perhaps a missed opportunity not to include an original work such as the Buxton Orr ‘Concerto for Trombone and Brass Band’ which had been premiered by Denis Wick with Ever Ready Band in 1973.
Concerto Grosso
Philip Sparke’s classically inspired ‘Concerto Grosso’ had just received its performance premiere in 1988 as part of the Glasgow Music Festival. It’s three short, contrasting sections flow seamlessly with a delicate contemporary playfulness between the quartet and the band.
‘Concerto’ may well have been the end of a recording era, yet as the Parkes/Chandos partnership had shown throughout its association, the quality continues to provide a hallmark for future generations to emulate.
A contrasting Concerto Grosso is offered by Denis Wright’s ‘Trio Concerto’ (completed shortly before his death in 1967), unabashedly romantic in outlook and style (premiered in the same year by the National Youth Brass Band), the energised opening leading into a tender elegy and sprightly finale.
‘Concerto’ may well have been the end of a recording era, yet as the Parkes/Chandos partnership had shown throughout its association, the quality continues to provide a hallmark for future generations to emulate.
Malcolm Wood
Track Listing:
Side 1:
1. Euphonium Concerto (Joseph Horovitz)
Soloist: Robert Childs
i. Moderato
ii. Lento
iii. Con Moto
2. Concerto Grosso (Philip Sparke)
Soloists: Roger Webster; Philip Shaw; Sandy Smith; Robert Childs
Side 2:
1. Trombone Concerto (Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Gordon Langford)
Soloist: Norman Law
i. Allegro Vivace
ii. Andante Cantabile
iii. Allegro
2. Trio Concerto (Denis Wright)
Soloists: Roger Webster; Norman Law; Robert Childs
i. Prelude - Allegro Energico
ii. Elegy - Poco Lento
iii. Finale - Allegro
3. Concertino for Tenor Horn (Gareth Wood)
Soloist: Sandy Smith
