*
banner

CD Review: Shift

Peter Moore moves into top gear to showcase his mastery of the art of trombone playing.


Peter Moore
Tredegar Band
Conductor: Ian Porthouse
Chandos Recordings: CHSA 5366

Born in Belfast and raised in Greater Manchester, Peter Moore gained international attention at the age of 12 when, in 2008, he became the youngest winner of the BBC Young Musician competition. Appointed Co-Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra aged just 18, he left after 10 years to focus on his solo career.  

As this release proves, that was a good move.

Excellent

Focusing on his life-long association with the brass bands, the programme here includes major works such as Gordon Langford’s ‘Rhapsody’, Eric Leidzen’s ‘Concertino’, and the first recording of Simon Dobson’s ‘Shift’  – a concerto in all but name, written for Mr. Moore. Other works on the release comprise excellent arrangements of popular standards.  It ends with the foot-stamping samba-inspired finale from Philip Sparke’s concerto.

Best version

Gordon Langford’s 'Rhapsody'  was written in 1978 for the great Don Lusher. Thereafter it very quickly became a trombone standard, and a work for trombonists to ‘test their chops on’. This is no surprise as it is superbly written for the instruments and packs so much into its 13-minute duration.  There are virtuoso sections showing just what the instrument can do and some wonderful lyrical writing in homage to Lusher’s famously warm tone. 

This is probably the best version of the many I have heard over the years.

One big tune is marked molto cantabile e lusheroso  and Mr Moore gives it his all. Halfway through, over a percussion riff, the soloist is offered the opportunity to improvise a cadenza, which Mr Moore perfectly judges, not too jazzy, not too staid. This is probably the best version of the many I have heard over the years.

Real find

A real find for me was Simon Dobson’s three-movement concerto from 2012, entitled 'Shift'.

It is a tremendously exciting work, the outer two movements being full of high energy and seemingly impossible scoring. The middle movement provides a moment of calm with a simple diatonic melody supported mainly by sustained chords and metallophones, all to great effect.

The scoring is so effective at times I had to remind myself I was listening to brass and percussion and not a full symphony orchestra. 

The scoring is so effective at times I had to remind myself I was listening to brass and percussion and not a full symphony orchestra. 

Surprisingly for someone who has been part of the music world for over 20 years, Mr Dobson is a new name to me but one I will most certainly look out for. This is music which acknowledges the past but is very much of the present.

Chandos have a long association with brass bands and the release is as superbly recorded as it is performed. Every nuance of the tremendous Tredegar Band under Ian Porthouse is captured with technicolor brilliance.

Paul Jackson


This review first appeared on the British Music Society website and is published with permission of the author.
https://www.britishmusicsociety.co.uk/2025/03/shift-works-for-trombone-and-brass-band/

To purchase: https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHSA%205366

Play list:

1. Annie Laurie (Arthur Pryor)
2. Rhapsody for Trombone (Gordon Langford)
3. Blessed Assurance (Phoebe Palmer Knapp)

4. Concertino for Band and Trombone (Erik Leidzen)
5. I’m Getting’ Sentimental over You (George Bassman)

6. Shift: Trombone Concerto No.1 (Simon Dobson)
i.  On Frustration and Confusion
ii. On Solitude and Loging
iii. On Hope and Momentum

9. Nobody Knows the Trouble I See (Tard. arr. Gordon Langford) 
10. Sambezi (Philip Sparke) 

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    



Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Dobcross Silver Band - Marsden Silver Prize Band

Sunday 27 July • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

July 25 • Ready for a NEW Music Challenge?. . Dodworth Brass Band, is looking for a new principal cornet as our current player prepares for retirement. Just 5mins from J37 M1. . friendly welcoming band with a packed calendar of exciting concerts & events. . . S75 3RF


Enderby Band

July 24 • Enderby Band (Leicestershire) are a Championship section band looking for: Bb BASS & PERCUSSION (expressions of interest from any perc disciplines are welcome). We are an ambitious, friendly, band with a sensibly full calendar of contests and concerts.


The Marple Band

July 24 • Cornet( back row), Baritone, Horn, Bb Bass and Kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd