Featuring the music of Jacob Vilhelm Larsen
Black Dyke Band
Conductors: Prof Nicholas J Childs & Jacob Vilhelm Larsen
Soloist: Richard Marshall
Doyen Recordings: CD 440
Over the past decade or more Danish composer Jacob Vilhelm Larsen has built a critically respected library of eclectic compositions and arrangements. His command of the brass band medium is equally comprehensive; from fanfares and marches to cool jazz, concert works, solos and major test-pieces.
His original output has a distinctive, richly textured melodic fingerprint, the ideas compactly developed in both lineal and narrative form. The inspirations vary, and although he regularly delves into tales of myth, legend and even sci-fi, such as the malevolent sword making dwarves of ‘The Saga of Tyrfing’ or the futuristic landscapes of Arthur C Clarke in ‘The City and the Stars’, it is very much music of our times.
Afterlife
This latest release performed by a purposeful Black Dyke Band, showcases four substantial compositions - the title track commissioned as the Elite Division set-work for the 2023 Danish National Championships.
'Elysian Fields’ takes its inspiration from Greek mythology and the concept of the blissful afterlife that can only be achieved in death by the righteous and heroic.
As befits its poetic back story it is laced through with atmospheric drama, hazy Delphic mystery and vibrant underworld colourings
As befits its poetic back story it is laced through with atmospheric drama, hazy Delphic mystery and vibrant underworld colourings before the departed soul (who is put through the technical wringer) can finally negotiate with the ferryman Charon to cross the River Styx to paradise.
Symphonic scenes
‘Pantheon’ is also inspired by the Greek gods, although its most famous earthly construction is to be found in the heart of Rome in the form of the iconic concrete temple ordered by the Emperor Hadrian – one of the ‘Five Good Emperors’.
The work evokes the majesty as well as the contradictory ideals of the period in a series on linked symphonic scenes - Larsen’s sweeping imagination bringing togas, troubles and triumphs rolled into one.
The work (used as an own-choice in the Third Division of the Danish Championships in 2015) evokes the majesty as well as the contradictory ideals of the period in a series of linked symphonic scenes - Larsen’s sweeping imagination bringing togas, troubles and triumphs rolled into one.
Rhapsodic form underpins the three sections of ‘A Portrait in Time’ (used as an own-choice in the First Division at the 2022 Danish Championships). The music is based on a tender Evensong reflecting on the shared experiences of our time on ‘Mother Earth’, the beauty contrasting with the disasters, man-made or natural.
Sublime
A set of six variations evolves from the 16th century carol ‘Remember, O Thou Man’ to form the engaging ensemble and solo explorations of ‘Ravenscroft Variations’; each of defined character and played as such.
The delicately melancholic cornet solo ‘Ballerina’, part of the larger ‘Our Language’ suite written for Brighouse & Rastrick at the 2018 Brass in Concert Championships, is sublimely played by Richard Marshall.
The delicately melancholic cornet solo ‘Ballerina’, part of the larger ‘Our Language’ suite written for Brighouse & Rastrick at the 2018 Brass in Concert Championships, is sublimely played by Richard Marshall.
Elsewhere, the sumptuous sounds of themes from Mahler’s ‘3rd Symphony’ form the basis of the impressive ‘Phenomena Fanfare’, whilst the composer’s back catalogue is opened for ‘Ad Astra’, first heard on the ‘Travels’ CD made by Tredegar Band in 2014.
Iwan Fox
To purchase:
CD: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102196
Download: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102196-download
Wobplay: http://www.wobplay.com
Play list:
1. Ad Astra (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
2. A Portrait in Time (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
3. Ballerina (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
Soloist: Richard Marshall
4. Pantheon (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
5. Phenomena Fanfare – On a Theme by Mahler (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
6. Ravenscroft Variations (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
7. Elysian Fields (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
