‘Triquetra’ marks Black Dyke’s return to the recording studio following the tenth and final offering of its ‘Gold’ series late last year.
It also coincides with their return to the top of the contesting podium at the National Championships in London, as well as directing inquisitive interest towards much anticipated recording projects over the next 12 months and more.
Direct segue
The inclusion of Peter Graham’s title track acts as a direct amuse-bouche segue (the Naxos release of his music has just been released); a free flowing ‘fantasia’ on ‘The Old Hundredth’ hymn inspired by the ‘Holy Trinity’ architectural designs seen in Church buildings and illuminated manuscripts.
‘Flashback’ is a heady little shot-glass mixer that nods in personal as well as contesting appreciation to former player Lee Rigg.
The mouthwatering potential of a possible Respighi inspired recording with conductor John Wilson (Band President) who recently directed an acclaimed orchestral triptych of ‘Fountains’, ‘Pines’ and ‘Festivals’ with the Sinfonia of London, would be one heck of a coup.
The mouthwatering potential of a possible Respighi inspired recording with conductor John Wilson (Band President) who recently directed an acclaimed orchestral triptych of ‘Fountains’, ‘Pines’ and ‘Festivals’ with the Sinfonia of London, ould be one heck of a coup.
The brace of Howard Snell’s landmark arrangements, played here with technicolour Romanic flair and certainty (ensemble and soloists) are the juiciest of tempting entrees.
Aurora
An existing recording partnership featuring the music of John Rutter is currently in production. ‘Two Prayers’, tenderly arranged by Luc Vertommen offers a tantalisingly snapshot, whilst John Kendrick’s ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine’ neatly arranged by Anna Wilby adds an upbeat sense of evangelical praise.
The trio of excellent soloists in Stephanie Binns, Gavin Saynor and Brett Baker put their classy imprints on some familiar fayre, whilst Matthew Routley adds his stentorian Churchillian tones to ‘Peacemakers’.
Elsewhere, the MDs admirable commitment to recording major contest works, sees an absorbing account of Joel Thoor Engstrom’s 2023 European Championship set-test ‘Aurora’.
Elsewhere, the MDs admirable commitment to recording major contest works, sees an absorbing account of Joel Thoor Engstrom’s 2023 European Championship set-test ‘Aurora’.
It is a hefty, but cleverly scored chunk of Roman mystery, symbolism and magnetic fields of energy that travelled in engaging fashion across Malmo skies, and which fully retains its optimistic outlook here.
Iwan Fox
To purchase:
CDs:
https://www.blackdykeband.co.uk/shop/shop/cds/essential-dyke/triquetra/
https://www.worldofbrass.com/102081
Download:
https://www.worldofbrass.com/102081-download
Multi media:
http://www.wobplay.com
Play list:
1. Flashback (Peter Grahm)
2. Aurora (Joel Thoor Engstrom)
i. Largo
ii. Pesante
111. Allegro Con Spirito
5. Dimitri (Rodney Newton)
Soloist: Stephanie Binns
6. Peacemakers (Dan Price)
Narrator: Matthew Routley
7. Carnival for Bass (Fred Muscroft)
Soloist: Gavin Saynor
8-9. Two Prayers (John Rutter arr. Luc Vertommen)
i. God Be In My Head
ii. A Prayer of Saint Patrick
10. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Maschwitz/Sherwin arr. Snell)
Soloist: Brett Baker
11. Shine, Jesus, Shine (Graham Kendrick arr. Anna Wilby)
12. Triquetra (Peter Graham)
13-14. Two movements from Roman Festivals (Respighi arr. Snell)
i. The October Festival
Soloist: Siobhan Bates
ii. The Epiphany
Organ: Philip Wilby
Piano: Darius Battiwalla
