CD: High Peak

HIGH PEAK – THE MUSIC OF ERIC BALL
Enfield Citadel Band

Conductor: John Ward

Cornet Soloist: Kirsty Abbotts
www.melodiesforclarence.com

This is the latest in a series of recordings raising funds for the Clarence Adoo Trust, masterminded by conductor John Ward. Previous performers have included Leyland, Fairey and the Co-operative Funeralcare Band, but Enfield is the first Salvation Army group to take part.

King of Kings (1931) is the earliest work, taking the listener on a journey through the life of Christ, the vivid music depicting the birth, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. One is tempted to think of the opening in terms of a Hollywood epic, until remembering that the first ‘talkie’ was produced only four years before the piece was written. Soprano, euphonium and solo cornet are the featured soloists, and the music culminates in a majestic setting of Crown Him with many crowns.

Two marches are included, Rosslyn being dedicated to Eric's wife, Olive, named after one of the houses where they lived. Having written the original Star Lake march when visiting the USA music camp in 1937, a return visit in 1965 led to Star Lake No. 2, clearly modelled on the original, but of considerable merit in its own right.
Kirsty Abbotts joins the band to perform Clear Skies and it is interesting to hear a performance from someone coming fresh to the music. Taken at a steady pace, it demonstrates why Kirsty's lyrical playing has drawn so many plaudits over the years.

Her dulcet tones are also heard to good effect in the hymn tune Peace - a setting of John Oxenham's words.
In 1960, The New York Staff Band was to be the guest band at the Royal Albert Hall, its featured work being Erik Leidzen's None other name. Eric Ball wrote Song of Courage as The International Staff Band's contribution to that evening, drawing on a vocal piece inspired by a Wartime broadcast by King George VI. It is a testing work that deserves to be better known in the wider band world and the band's reading comes across very well.

Sunset Rhapsody and High Peak were written for the 1958 British Open and 1969 National Final respectively. The descriptive episodes of the former focus more on lyricism than technical challenges. In his excellent and informative sleeve notes, Ronald Holz quotes Eric Ball’s description of High Peak as more of a spiritual journey, than a physical one. A fitting conclusion to a fine recording.

PETER BALE

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