CD: Angels and Demons

Angels and Demons
Hauts de France Brass Band
Conductor: Luc Vertommen
Baritone soloist: David Maillot
Euphonium soloist: Lilian Meurin
Cornet soloist: Emmanuel Gheysens
Flugel horn soloist: Arnaud Péru
Trombone soloist: Benoit Dehaine

Featuring the two pieces performed by the band when it successfully lifted the crown at the 2017 French National Championships, this recording is also a showcase of the ensemble’s fine soloists. The release also marks the band’s 25th anniversary and endorses its recent name change from Nord-Pas-de-Calais following government re-organisation, which saw the merger of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy regions.

The playing throughout the disc is of the highest order as maestro, Dr. Luc Vertommen, shapes the music so skilfully. Opening with the title track, Angels and Demons by Peter Graham, which takes inspiration from the Book of Revelation, the work is played with blistering precision and artistry. In contrast to the excitement of Angels and Demons, Luc Vertommen’s beautiful arrangement of Rombi’s lovely film music, I’m dreaming of Home, follows. The first of five soloists featured is David Maillot (baritone), who delivers a fine rendition of Vieuxtemps’s Elegy, again skilfully arranged by the conductor.

Howard Snell’s super arrangement of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé (Second Suite) is one of the many highlights on the disc, as is Lilian Meurin’s virtuosic account of Simon Dobson’s Drive - Euphonium Concerto. Lilian’s sound and musicianship is so mature and engaging. Another of Dr. Vertommen’s fine arrangements captures the excitement and verve of Lalo’s Presto from Norwegian Rhapsody, after which there is a very musical performance of The Girl With The Flaxen Hair by cornetist, Emmanuel Gheysens, and an exciting piece by Paul Lovatt-Cooper called Streamline Peaks. Trombonist, Benoit Dhaine, makes a good impression with his chosen solo, Summon the Rhythm, and the disc concludes with two more fine Luc Vertommen arrangements, I Know Why by Harry Warren and Valse Musette by Francis Poulenc, the former proving to be a wonderful vehicle for the rich flugel horn tone of Arnaud Peru and a fitting finale to this super quality disc from a band flying high!

Dr. ROBERT CHILDS 

This review appeared in the February 2018 edition of BBW. For more reviews, articles and news subscribe to BBW Digital, available to read online (annual subscription: £30), or subscribe to BBW's printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World). Alternatively, receive both the Digital and printed editions combined: £55 (UK); £83 (Europe); £96 (rest of the world) - saving 50% on the Digital edition! Click here to subscribe!