*
banner

CD review: Black Dyke Gold Volume X

Conductor: Prof Nicholas Childs
Soloists: Daniel Thomas, Michael Cavanagh, Siobhan Bates
Doyen Recordings: DOY CD412


The final nuggets of gold from Black Dyke's rich seam of concert repertoire have been unearthed to bring to close a series that has been successfully mined by the Queensbury band for decade.

From the first CD in 2012 to this in 2022, it has comprised well over 110 different compositions, no less than 13 major test-pieces,  25 or more featured soloists and countless composers and arrangers – both new and established. 

Significant

The odd lump of musical iron pyrite has occasionally surfaced, but the desire to record openers from James Ord Hume to Bruce Broughton, overtures from Mendelssohn to Sparke, quirky oddities to traditional brass band classics has been admirable. 

The ambition to also include major works as diverse as ‘Resurgam’  to ‘The God Particle’,  ‘Labour & Love’  to ‘Heroes’  has unquestionably been even more significant as an achievement. No other band, and more pointedly, no other MD, could have shown the determination to complete the process. 

However, with listening habits – even for Black Dyke’s most dedicated ‘Pondashers’ changing, you wonder if this may well be the last of its kind.  

The ambition to also include major works as diverse as ‘Resurgam’  to ‘The God Particle’,  ‘Labour & Love’ to ‘Heroes’  has unquestionably been even more significant as an achievement. No other band, and more pointedly, no other MD, could have shown the determination to complete the process. 

Seals of quality

For this release, the 'New Beginnings’  test-piece from Fredrick Schjelderup doesn’t quite have the weight of musical substance as some that have gone before, but it still adds an engaging vibrancy to the final offering.  

Elsewhere, Eric Ball’s ‘Star Lake’  and Respighi’s ‘The Pines of the Appian Way’  bookend things with familiar seals of lasting quality, whilst the trio of soloists add their name to a long list of high-class performers who have featured over the years.   

A flamboyant Daniel Thomas pops the eyeballs on ‘Zigeunerweisen’,  whilst Michael Cavanagh and Siobhan Bates play with accomplished artistry on ‘Carrickfergus’  and ‘Upon Green Vales’  respectively.  

The brace of John Rutter works newly arranged by Luc Vertommen (‘The Gift of Music’  and ‘The Peace of God’) are tender inserts amid the glitterball sparkle of the 'Strictly Black Dyke’  trio, ‘A Fantasy of Joy’  and ‘Above and Beyond’.

That final long road march home to the Rome of Queensbury - triumphant, if slightly exhausted in inspiration after 10 years of repertoire exploration, test piece challenges and showcase solos is an entirely appropriate way on which to end.

Iwan Fox 


To purchase: 
http://https://www.worldofbrass.com/101879

https://wobplay.com/

Play list:

1. Star Lake (Eric Ball)
2. New Beginnings (Fredrick Schjelderup)
3. Zigeunerweisen (Pablo de Sarasate arr. David Childs)
Soloist: Daniel Thomas
4. A Fantasy of Joy (Fredrick Schelderup)

5. Strictly Black Dyke
i. Let’s Face the Music and Dance (Irving Berling arr. Goff Richards)
ii. Libertango (Astor Piazzolla arr. Dan Price)
iii. Bolero (Maurice Ravel arr. Howard Snell)

8. The Peace of God (John Rutter arr. Luc Vertommen)
9. Carrickfergus (Trad arr. Stephen Roberts)
Soloist: Michael Cavanagh

10. Above and Beyond (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
11. Upon Green Vales (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Soloist: Siobhan Bates

12. The Gift of Music (John Rutter arr. Luc Vertommen)
13. The Pines of the Appian Way (Ottorino Respighi arr. Howard Snell)

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


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?


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Jonathan Pippen


Conductor, Adjudicator, Trombone Soloist & Clinician


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd