CD: Patrons’ Choice X

Patrons’ Choice X opens with an exciting composition by Venezuelan composer and trumpet player, Giancarlo Castro D’Addona. The irregular meter and fluid melodies make Grand Fanfare a perfect ‘opener’ and, from the outset, you can tell this is a band on form.

Handel’s Aria Con Variazioni is a cleverly crafted arrangement by Matthew Eden featuring principal cornet, Mark Wilkinson. I remember Mark’s audition at Foden’s Band in the early ‘90s and, even back then, he showed a remarkable sense of security and effortless reliability that remains his hallmarks today. To maintain such high standards over his lengthy tenure is a truly outstanding achievement.

Dunlap’s Creek was performed by Foden’s at the recent RNCM Brass Band Festival. Composed by Bob Bernat, it is based on the old hymn of the same name and features some lovely, cantabile euphonium playing from former principal, David Thornton.

Baritone soloist, Sarah Lenton, makes Tom Davoren’s When Sparks Fly sound all too easy, before Blue by Thomas Gansch provides an ideal vehicle to display soprano cornettist, Richard Poole’s fearless stylistic attributes. This is a no-holds-barred display of extremes; range, dynamics, tone colour - all taken over the top. Fabulous stuff!

Harrie Janssen’s A Farewell to Arms is exciting, listener-friendly and tests the ensemble to the full. Following this impressive performance from Foden’s, Janssen will surely be a name to watch out for in the brass band scene.

Leigh Baker’s terrific arrangement of All Night Long is a real crowd-pleaser, but for this genre of music to be successful you need a rock solid groove from the kit player to drive the band. We certainly get that in abundance here as the rhythm section, in particular, brings this offering to life.

Trombonist, John Barber, displays some lovely legato playing in his own arrangement of Frank Wildhorn’s Someone Like You. John’s control in the upper extremes of the register is enviable indeed, added to which his labile use of vibrato makes his solo a real joy to listen to. John also demonstrates his versatility at the piano, joining David Thornton, Mark Bousie, Andy Cattanach and a wonderful percussion team to present a unique adaptation of Gypsy Earrings, originally composed for two guitars by the Iranian musician and guitarist, Ardeshir Farah.

It’s not often you hear the music of English rock band, Muse, presented on a brass band album! However, here we have it in the form of Supremacy and, surprisingly, it works really well.

Paul Sharman’s skillful arrangement of Eric Whitacre’s Seal Lullaby never overpowers the graceful, delicate, delightful performance from flugel horn soloist, Melanie Whyle, but for me,

the highlight of this release is the presentation of Wilfred Heaton’s Just As I Am. Played with shape, finesse, control and understanding; this is a performance to cherish.

Patrons’ Choice X ends with Howard Snell’s masterful arrangement of Khachaturian’s The Triumphal Entry of Spartacus, bringing to a close a very fine release.

NICK HUDSON – TROMBONIST – EDUCATOR

This CD is available to purchase and download at www.worldofbrass.com 

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