Notes: Rejoice, The Lord is King!
 The arrival of a new recording is
always an opportunity to see how a band is developing its style and repertoire and in this
recording the Amsterdam Staff Band of the Salvation Army under its conductor Howard Evans
provides the listener with a
wide variety of music to enjoy.
A simple melody by Frode Alnaes starts the programme off. Vitae Lux
-The light
of life is arranged by Norwegian composer Torstein Aagaard Nillsen. Starting with the
wistful sound of the flugel it develops a decidedly epic character by the final pages in a
sublime rock-style treatment.
Martin Cordner, a captain (minister) in the Salvation Army feels strongly that his
ever-increasing compositional output should have a telling effect; should be a ministry in
itself. His Celebration Overture, subtitled ‘A celebration
of new life in Christ’ consists of a sequence of five contemporary Christian songs
orchestrated at times with panache and
glitz, at other times with delicacy and touches of humour.
Guest Euphonium Soloist David Childs performs three works, the first being a new
one by conductor Howard Evans, entitled Precious Thoughts. Based
on a song inspired by Psalm 139 which he originally wrote for a Salvation Army music
school in Canada held in 2003 it is very evocative music and has a brooding, Celtic feel.
The performance is one of great artistry and lyricism and further underlines the qualities
of this outstanding young musician.
We move from the tranquil spell of this music to the energetic march, Forward!,
by Andrew Mackereth. The title comes from the hymn ‘Forward be our watchword’
which is featured in the middle and is given a suitably martial treatment. The opening
original material has a modal flavour and is re-introduced near the end in counterpoint
with the hymn to fashion a pleasing conclusion.
The Symphonic Rhapsody for Euphonium and Band by Edward
Gregson is the next solo featuring David Childs. This music was published in 1976 and was
originally conceived as long ago as the early sixties. Its inclusion here is especially
appropriate as next year sees the composer’s sixtieth birthday. The theme which
colours most of this work is an old gospel song ‘So we’ll roll the old chariot
along’. It is never far from the
surface of the music acting as catalyst for original material which has a pervasive aura
of ‘Englishness’ about it, which shines through even when played by a Dutch
band! It is an engaging and lyrical work where soloist and band have equal importance in
the dialogue.
A complete change of mood occurs with O,that place, which is a
Latin-style arrangement of a song by Richard Slater who is known as the ‘Father of
Salvation Army Music’. The words of the chorus are:
O that’s the place where I love to be,
For mighty wonders there I see.
Would you be blest?
Then tarry with me at the cross of Jesus.
The style changes to a fast swing and there is an infectious jollity about it.
Richard Slater, a classically-trained musician whose main instrument was the violin would
surely have raised a smile. How Salvation Army music has changed since his day! The clever
arranger is Olaf Ritman, a member of the Amsterdam Staff Band and he also provides the
next item.
The style of Psalm 46 is totally different. It is a
transcription of the slow movement of a larger-scale choral work by Norman Bearcroft.
There is a strong sense of longing and wistfulness about this music, possibly engendered
by the recurring use of the interval of a falling 4th towards the
end. Bearcroft’s original title for this movement is ‘City of God’.
Next follows more music from Andrew Mackereth in the form of a Bass
Trombone solo based around the Negro Spiritual Swing Low and
performed here by Staff Bandsman Marco Beeldman. A slow, traditional New Orleans-style
opening gives way to a fast, jazzy, rhythmic section where the soloist has to perform a
few acrobatics and Mackereth’s
humour is much in evidence.
Grant us thy Peace is in complete contrast and is
reflective music based on a lovely song by Ivy Mawby, whose words were given a four-part
setting by George Marshall. Kenneth Downie tries to underline in his treatment for brass
the serenity captured by Marshall when setting the final words of the chorus:
Now in the evening while shadows fall,
Grant us thy peace,
who give to Thee our all.
Varied Mood, by Ray Woodfield is David Childs’ final
solo spot and forms a good contrast to the previous items. The tuneful, easy-listening
opening is succeeded by an extended cadenza. There follows a moment’s reprise before
the exhilarating finale shows the soloist’s great technique off to great effect.
Morricone’s much-loved, atmospheric music to ‘The Mission’ makes a
welcome appearance in David Bertie’s arrangement of Gabriel’s Oboe
featuring the delightful sound of Staff Bandsman Menno van der Woude on flugel horn.
Rejoice,The Lord is King, this largerscale work by
Kenneth Downie was
written for The International Staff Band to play at the Gala Concert of the British Brass
Band Championships held in London’s Royal Albert Hall in October 2001. The title is
the first line of Charles Wesley’s great hymn, which is set to Handel’s majestic
tune ‘Gopsal’, from which the music is derived. The opening pays homage to
Handel’s coronation anthem ’Zadok the Priest’ and proceeds through more
serene moods to battle and
ultimate triumph.
The recording comes to a more subdued, melodic end with Peter Graham’s
arrangement of a New Zealand Maori tune called Hine e Hine. The
tune has a natural charm and simplicity which is very appealing and is given the sensitive
handling which it deserves.
This mixture of music, some to help us worship and some to entertain us, draws to
an end, highlighting the particular challenge facing all present-day Salvation Army Bands
of attracting listeners to the gospel.
Recording notes by Kenneth Downie.
Click here to read the review about this
recording as published in the British Bandsman of 2 October 2004 or click here to read the review about this
recording as published in the Brass Band World magazine 2004.
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