*
banner

CD review: The Music of Michael Bennett — Volume 1

Michael Bennett Brass
Conductor: Nigel Boddice MBE
Featuring: Michael Bennett; Craig Anderson
Recording: JM102887

MUSIC

Michael Bennett is a highly regarded freelance trumpet player who following a spell as sub-principal at the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra from 1976 to 1981 has been working in Scotland as a teacher, composer and performer.

That musical hinterland is condensed into this first volume of original works and arrangements recorded live in solo and ensemble mode at the Ledger Recital Room of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Uneven

It’s a slightly uneven 43-minute menu of the new, unfamiliar and refreshed; from the ‘Prelude’ from Charpentier’s ‘Te Deum’ and the ‘Grand March’ from ‘Aida’ to ‘Scottish Consorts Volume 1’, ‘A William Byrd Suite’ and Chopin’s ‘Etude in E Minor’.

It also features two fine unaccompanied original composition solos in ‘Fantasy for Tuba’, played with bold resonance by Craig Anderson, and by Michael Bennett himself on ‘Soliloquy for Piper Alpha’, which is a haunting combination of tranquillity and heraldic echoes.

It also features two fine unaccompanied original composition solos in ‘Fantasy for Tuba’, played with bold resonance by Craig Anderson, and by Michael Bennett himself on ‘Soliloquy for Piper Alpha’, which is a haunting combination of tranquillity and heraldic echoes.

Cultured style

There is a cultured sense of style to each performance (the nine-piece nonet of six trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba is directed with subtle nuance by Nigel Boddice MBE), although the live recording balance doesn’t always sit easily on the ear. 

You are left appreciating the show of musical integrity, although wondering why a few judicious edits were not employed to have given things an extra sheen of overall polish.

Iwan Fox 


Playlist:

To purchase: http://https://www.justmusicuk.com/publications/details/JM102887        

1. Prelude from the Te Deum (Marc-Antoine Charpentier arr. Michael Bennett)
2. Etude in E Minor (Frederick Chopin arr. Michael Bennett)
3. Scottish Consorts Vol: 1 (arr. Michael Bennett)
Ane Exempill of Tripla
Prince Edward’s Paven
The Queine of Ingland’s Paven
Paven
My Lord of Marche Paven
Galliard
9.  Soliloquy for Piper Alpha (Michael Bennett)
Soloist: Michael Bennett
10. A William Byrd Suite (arr. Michael Bennett)
Voluntary
The Earl of Salisbury’s Pavane
The Morris & Soldier’s Dance
March Before Battle (Earl of Oxford March)
14.  Fantasy for Tuba (Michael Bennett)
Soloist: Craig Anderson
15. Prelude from Judicium Salomonis (M.A. Charpentier/Bennett) 
16. Grand March from Aida (Giuseppe Verdi arr. Michael Bennett)

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd