The British Bandsman: Rejoice the Lord is King
 Amsterdam Staff Band hits the mark with top soloist
THIS highly enjoyable disc features not only one of the finest Salvation Army bands around at the moment, but also the exciting talents of David Childs as the band's guest for three solo spots.
The fine opening number, Vitae Lux by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, sets the scene brilliantly as the band, under Howard Evans, displays the sort of form that has earned it a well deserved reputation for a high standard of performance. After the Aagaard-Nilsen, the band continues to hit its high performance benchmark in Martin Cordner's Celebration Overture - a superb piece based on five Christian songs - before the first appearance of David Childs with a brand new piece entitled Precious Thoughts, by conductor Howard Evans. The soloist's artistry and brilliant musicianship is always evident in this lovely, reflective music, whilst the contrast of Andrew Mackerreth's Forward! shows the band's tight ensemble and bright, energetic sound of to the full.
David Childs takes the spotlight next with an authoritative performance of one of Edward Gregson's early works, Symphonic Rhapsody for Euphonium and, once again, the soloist's skill is matched by the band's excellent accompaniment.
Next, two contributions from one of the Amsterdam Staff Band's cornet players, Olaf Ritman, provides a contrast, first in his great Latin/Swing arrangement of Richard Slater's O That Place and then Psalm 46 - a lovely setting of the slow movement of a larger scale choral work by Norman Bearcroft.
Two more of the band's soloist are given a chance to shine; bass trombonist, Marco Beeldman is in good form in Andrew Mackerreth's Swing Low, which opens in a New Orleans style, before the pace quickens with a brash, jazzy number. Italian film meastro, Ennio Morrecone, is the source of the music chosen for the next solo of the evocative Gabriel's Oboe, from the film The Mission by the band's flugel player, Menno van der Woude, who gives a sensitive reading, again so well accompanies by the band.
David Childs' final contribution is in the tried and tested Ray Woodfield classic, Varied Mood, in which his technical wizardry is, as usual, right at the top of the tree.
One of the most respected of present-day Salvation Army composers, Kenneth Downie, is responsible for two of the disc's tracks. His wonderful scoring techniques are a joy to hear in Grant Us Thy Peace and the most substantial piece on the recording, which also gives the disc its title, Rejoice the Lord is King. Many will remember this fine work being played by The International Staff Band during the Gala Concert of the 2001 National Brass Band Championships at the London's Royal Albert Hall. The band seems comfortable with the music and gives a good account of it.
The CD concludes with music from the pen of Peter Graham in shape of his arrangement of the Maori melody, Hine e Hine. This lovely piece offers a warm gentle ending to a programme of varied, entertaining music, well played and directed.
The production from SP&S Ltd. is of a very high standard and enhanced by a set of excellent informative and well-written sleeve notes by Kenneth Downie. Highly recommended.
-- John Maines, The
British Bandsman Saturday 2nd October 2004
|
|
 |
|
| Quick Links
News
Here you will be able to read more about the latest news of the ASB. Please add your
e-mail address to our mailing-list
database so we can keep you up to date with all the latest developements on this site.
Guestbook
Please leave a message!
We'd like to know what you think about our web site or anything else that is on your mind.
Thank you for taking part!
Contact
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@amsterdamstaffband.org
|
|
