It was at the British Open at Belle Vue in 1977 that Stephen Roberts first heard brass bands ‘in the flesh’ - including the eventual champion Black Dyke.  Ever since, he has continued an engaging, multi-faceted association with brass bands as a conductor, adjudicator, arranger and composer.

Those compositional talents are well represented with this colourful, commanding release from 2016 - one that sees Black Dyke on fine form throughout.

Joyful display

‘Arabian Nights’; the exotically flavoured lollipop set-work for the 2013 British Open, is a joyful display of highlights and themes, twists and turns.

It owes everything, yet almost nothing, to its orchestral inspiration - a brilliantly executed pantomime fantasy with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek. It’s given a spellbinding rendition, topped by the soprano’s ball pin high E to close.

Ruminating creation

In contrast, ‘Reflections on Swan Lake’ was not as universally acclaimed at Symphony Hall in 2015 - although on repeated hearing it is also a deliberately acerbic, thoroughly engaging, ruminating creation. As with ‘Arabian Nights’, Prof Childs creates his interpretation on a broad canvas - washed with bold colour and tactile texture, especially with the incessant build to a glorious climax.  

Between the test-piece bookends the release is filled with an eclectic selection of cleverly realised arrangements and smaller original works.

Wonderful adaptation

‘Chorale & Fanfares’ is a wonderful adaptation of a Fine Arts Brass Ensemble quintet suite of such skillful balances in construction and execution, whilst the march ‘Valiant and True’ is a stirring piece of bravura. Special mention however to Katrina Marzalla, who soars with liquid effortlessness in ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’, and Gary Curtin, who displays a passionate sultriness in ‘The Water is Wide’.

‘Swing Low’ and ‘Soferska’ provide ample evidence of the composer’s superb craftsmanship - as does the rather throwaway ‘Wheel of Fortune’ - even if it does make you think it’s been undertaken to pay an overdue electricity bill or the like. 

Steve Jack 

Available from: http://http://www.worldofbrass.com/ 

1. Arabian Nights (Fantasy on Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade) (Stephen Roberts)
2. The Lark in the Clear Air (Traditional arr. Stephen Roberts)
Soloist: Katrina Marzella
3. Wheel of Fortune (Hans Zimmer arr. Stephen Roberts)
4. Valiant & True (Stephen Roberts)
5. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (Traditional arr. Stephen Roberts)
6. The Water is Wide (Traditional arr. Stephen Roberts)
Soloist: Gary Curtin
7. Soferska (Goran Bregovia arr. Stephen Roberts)
8. Chorale & Fanfares  (Stephen Roberts)
9. Reflections on Swan Lake (Stephen Roberts)