Brass Band World: Rejoice the Lord is King


Amsterdam Staff Band strike gold with soloist

THE AMSTERDAM STAFF BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY
‘Rejoice The Lord is King’
(Staff Bandmaster Howard J. Evans)
SPS 182 CD

THE opening track provides a taste of what is to follow with excellent playing from the flugel and soprano players in the well shaped Vitae Lux by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.

A modern SA composer, Martin Cordner, is featured in his Celebration Overture which contains a cocktail of contemporary Christian songs played with panache and strong dynamic contrast.

Notwithstanding the capabilities of the band: own soloists. Howard Evans has struck gold by inviting David Childs to be the guest soloist on this CD. David’s contributions include Symphony of Rhapsody for Eruphonium by Edward Gregson, Ray Woodfield’s Varied Mood and a new composition by Howard Evans, Precious Thoughts, based on a song inspired by Psalm 29. This is a welcome addition to the lyrical slow melody solos and has a strong Celtic feel. The playing of David Childs is outstanding with beautiful tone throughout the register and an unsurpassed technical ability.

A spirited march, Forward by Andrew Mackereth will be enjoyed and played often by SA bands, the title coming from the hymn, Forward be our watchword. Two items from the pen of Olaf Ritman, (a solo cornet player in the band), reflect the growing contribution which Dutch salvationists brings to our music making. 0, that Place is a modern setting in Latin style that changes to a fast swing style of a song by Richard Slater, known as the ‘Father of Salvation Army Music’. This is followed by Psalm 46, an arrangement of the slow movement from Norman Bearcroft’s choral work, City of God.

Swing Low, a bass trombone solo by Andrew Mackereth was written for his Friend Marco Beeldman, who gives a polished performance and negotiates the New Orleans style and fast jazzy rhythms with ease. Gabriel’s Oboe, arranged by David Bertie is given a delightful rendering by Menno van der Woude, the flugelhorn soloist who displays subtlety, tone and power with musicality. The final track is an arrangement by Peter Graham of a New Zealand Maori tune, Hine e Hine.

Kenneth Downie has written informative programme notes which I suggest are essential reading in gaining a full understanding of the range of music recorded. However, for the reviewer his own two composions. Grant is Thy Peace and Rejoice, the Lord is King provide the icing on the cake. Additional comment is superfluous. This is a disc full of excellent music, first class soloists and a band in fine form.

-- Norman Short, Brass Band World, 2004