Cory Composition Prize concert
Cory Band is preparing for its annual concert celebrating new composition for brass band at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff this weekend (26 May, 7.45pm).
The three shortlisted pieces for the RWCMD Cory Composition Prize will all be performed in the first half of the concert and judged by John Wallace CBE, Liz Lane and Nigel Seaman, and Kapitol Promotions is again providing a generous donation for the prize money.
The three shortlisted pieces are: 'Bop!', composed RNCM graduate, Matthew Shaw, who plays with Eccles Band and conducts Goldborne Band. Matthew describes his piece as “a lively funk opener, infused with catchy dance rhythms, a soulful bluesy solo section and a passionate Argentine tango, finished off with a ferocious funk-off between soprano cornet and solo trombone, all powered along by driving percussion and some seriously infectious bass lines!” 'Autumn Hill' by the Head of Brass at Wakefield Music Service Stephen Wood, who says his piece is a “pastoral type composition featuring themes on cornet and euphonium”; and 'The Spirit of St. Louis' the Deputy Divisional Music Director for the Salvation Army in Texas, Andrew Wainwright, who’s composition has a specific programme relating to the first solo non-stop Transatlantic flight undertaken by Charles Lindbergh in 1927.
Cory Band Musical Director, Philip Harper, commented: “We certainly have a very varied shortlist - almost a concert within a concert. As the standard was very high this year, I could easily have chosen double this number, but the rules are the rules! Whichever of these three pieces wins will be an excellent addition to our concert programmes and for all bands to play for many years.”
Philip continued: “As well as the competition part of the evening, we have in recent years also aimed to feature a major original piece for band during the evening. This year is no exception and there is bound to be a lot of interest surrounding our performance of Scottish composer Jay Capperauld’s new piece, 'As Above, So Below', during which we will be joined by the work’s commissioning group, The Wallace Collection and its dedicatee, John Wallace.
“The piece is interesting on all levels - a 20-minute magnum opus based on the cryptic text of the Emerald Tablet, written by a mysterious character from the dawn of civilisation, Hermes Trismegistus. The brass quintet plays in elevated positions (as above - in the heavens) and the band plays on the stage (so below - on earth). The text of the Emerald Tablet is frequently brought to life by the musicians, who alternately whisper, speak and shout it throughout the piece, and the sound world is further augmented with the use of handbells and chains. Rehearsals have been very engaging and, after a fine world première with Dalmellington Band conducted by Martyn Brabbins last year, I think our audience is in for a performance that will provide much to discuss during the interval!”
In addition to the new pieces, Cory will also perform some concert favourites, such as the overture to Verdi’s 'La Forza del Destino', William German’s march 'The President' and 'The Pines of the Appian Way' by Respighi, as well as solos from RWCMD graduate, Ailsa Russell (tenor horn) and Chris Thomas (trombone).”
Tickets are available from the RWCMD box office on 029 2039 1391 or online.
