There has been a great deal for the Aldbourne Band to rejoice about in recent years.

In 2022 the Wiltshire band claimed a second West of England top-flight Area title (their first was in 1981), as well as securing a podium finish at the British Open. Further endorsements of their elite level credentials have been heard at the National Finals (a third appearance in four years in 2023) with a Brass in Concert debut later this year.

They have come a long way since their formation around 1861, with their musical progress backed by the indefatigable (and successful) support of a legion of ‘Friends’ who raised the funds for this celebration recording aimed very much at future concert audiences.

Caught the ears

It is entirely appropriate then that their historic British Open performance of ‘The World Rejoicing’  under Ivan Meylemans closes the release – and a fine reminder it is too of an interpretation of notable stylistic subtlety and assuredness that caught the ears of the judges on the day.

It is entirely appropriate then that their historic British Open performance of ‘The World Rejoicing’  under Ivan Meylemans closes the release – and a fine reminder it is too of an interpretation of notable stylistic subtlety and assuredness that caught the ears of the judges on the day.

Elsewhere a confident band under Glyn Willaims is on fine form on a host of easy listening concert favourites (recorded with the right touch of resonance at their local Memorial Hall) with a spectrum of styles and genres from the sprightly opening ‘Candide’  overture to the finale from Philip Harper’s Tintin inspired ‘Explorers on the Moon’.

Fizz and excitement

There is a cartoon fizz to ‘The Incredibles’  and Saturday morning pictures excitement from the pen of John Williams with ‘Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra’  and ‘The Cowboys Overture’.  ‘Elephant Patrol’  and ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’  are nimbly delivered. 

The quintet of soloists showcase their control and cultured musicality: ‘Pater Noster’  is tenderly shaped by Richard Hughes while Danny Jones gives ‘Shylock’  a characterful polka outing. 

The quintet of soloists showcase their control and cultured musicality:

Robert Marsh and Hayley Beynon offer stylish focus on the classics of ‘All I Ask of You’  and ‘One Day in Your Life’  respectively. Cerys Mair Hughes is the pick though - giving ‘Misty’  a lovely sense of liquidity. 

As a CD to showcase quality there is nothing too taxing or demanding, but this type of polished quality deserves to gain yet more concert friends as well as contest accolades in the future.

Iwan Fox

To purchase:  http://www.aldbourneband.org.uk/v2/category/cd/

Play list

1. Overture to Candide (Bernstein arr. Snell)
2. Pater Noster (Lundberg)
Soloist: Richard Hughes

3. The Incredibles (Giacchino arr. Harper)
4. Misty (Burke/Garner arr. Barry)
Soloist: Cerys Mair Hughes

5. The Cowboys Overture (Williams arr. Sykes)
6. One Day in Your Life (Armand/Brown arr. Barry)
Soloist: Hayley Beynon

7. Let’s Face the Music and Dance (Berlin arr. Richards)
8. All I Ask of You (Lloyd Webber arr. Mowat)
Soloist: Robert Marsh

9. Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra (Williams arr. van der Woude)
10. Elephant Patrol (Harper)
11. Shylock - Polka Brilliante (Lear arr. Griffiths)
Soloist: Danny Jones

12. Explorers on the Moon: Final movement – The Journey Home (Raphael)
13. The World Rejoicing (Symphonic Variations on a Lutheran Chorale) (Gregson)