Music: Matka

Meaning ‘journey’ in Finnish, Matka is the winning composition of the 2016 Ironbridge Brass Band Festival Young Composer Competition.

True to the title of the work, Samuel Shelley takes the listener on a short musical journey, starting slowly before increasing in tempo and intensity, enhanced by driving percussion lines. A brief relaxation follows, with the euphonium and flugel sharing a flowing lyrical melody, before the soprano cornet takes over, accompanied only by the cornet section. A reprise and development of the initial material precedes a grand finale, with a resounding thump from the bass drum marking journey’s end.

This fanfare-style work of moderate difficulty would make an ideal concert ‘opener’ or ‘finisher’ for middle to lower section bands, though a strong soprano cornet player will be needed to deal with the taxing writing for the instrument. The Salvation Army background of the composer is evident, and the musical language and format is typical of the style. As a result, Matka will already feel familiar and readily accessible to both bands and audiences alike, making the piece an effective choice for concert programmes.

THOMAS DUNNE

Read more reviews, interviews and features by subscribing to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)