The British Bandsman: The Rising of the Son
 Further proof of the
popularity of the Amsterdam Staff Band
THIS latest release from the Amsterdam Staff Band of the Salvation Army, under Howard
Evans is further proof of the quality of this popular outfit.
The disc opens with the Amsterdam Festival March by Norman Bearcroft and sets the tone
brilliantly for a programme of music that is varied and highly entertaining.
The lovely setting of Ron Harris’ All the time in the World by Johan Dokter is
followed by the swing-time version by Goff Richards of I Will Follow Him, featuring a fine
trombone section.
Bruce Broughton’s work is always welcome on any programme of music. His festival
arrangement Covenant is no exception and brings out some of the best playing on the disc.
Another composer/arranger making significant impact on the repertoire is Andrew Mackereth,
whose work is represented on this CD by two pieces, Celebrate and I Surrender All, played
beautifully on flugel by Menno van der Woude.
The music of Charles Villiers Stanford is rarely heard for band, but this is rectified
with the arrangement skills of conductor Howard Evans in the exquisite song, The Blue Bird.
Howard is responsible for two other pieces on the disc, this time as composer: Chassidic
Dance, an entertaining Jewish-Russian-type piece and the title track, The Rising of the
Son, the latter being the most substantial work on the recording.
Superbly written, it tells of order brought by God to an otherwise chaotic world and uses
three tunes, Creations Praise, Spirit of Jesus and As the Son, Christ is Coming.
The playing in this superb piece is of the highest order, with some great dynamic contrast
and quality.
On a lighter note, the arrangement of Love at Home by Olaf Ritman, a cornet player with
the ASB, is a superb foot-tapping swing arrangement and features some great solo lines.
William Himes’ New Frontier fits nicely into the recording with its cleverly used
references to the hymn tune, O God Our Help in Ages Past, whilst the band is again in
sparkling form in the wonderful Finale from Dvorak’s New World Symphony. It’s
good to here the piece again, this time in an arrangement by Ray Steadman-Allen.
American ‘March King‘, John Philip Sousa, wrote The Salvation Army March to honour the
movement and features the song known as the ‘Founders Song’ by William Booth, O
Boundless Salvation, a rousing march that brings the disc to a perfect conclusion.
A highly enjoyable CD from this fine Dutch band, which maintains a high standard of
playing throughout. Thoroughly recommended.
-- John Maines, The
British Bandsman Saturday 21st June 2003
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