Black Dyke Band
John Wilson conductor
CHANDOS CHSA5344
As Master of the Queen’s Musick (he liked the old spelling), Sir Arthur Bliss was required to write much ceremonial music for brass instruments. He approached what could have been an onerous task with great diligence, and his works in that genre have not been bettered.
But there are only two original works for brass band, Kenilworth and The Belmont Variations. Both are included on this disc, alongside excellent arrangements by other hands of some of his orchestral music.
In 1935 Bliss and his wife Trudy had visited Lancashire and the Midlands. There, Bliss had been inspired by the extraordinary virtuosity of brass band musicians. When he was asked to write a test piece for a 1936 brass band competition he was happy to oblige. He even courageously scored it himself, not something many other composers unfamiliar with the idiom would be willing to do.
The three movement Kenilworth was inspired by the castle and Scott’s novel of the same name and looks back to a visit of Elizabeth 1 in 1575. There are two fast marches separated by a serenade. It is easy to see why Bliss became MQM – the writing for brass is brilliantly idiomatic, perfectly suited for ceremonial occasions. The Serenade gives soloists in the band a chance to shine.
His second work for brass band, The Belmont Variations, did not appear until 1962, again as a test piece. This time Bliss handed arranging duties to the hugely experienced Frank Wright, who of course did an amazing job. Named after the town in Massachusetts were Trudy was born it is a very different work to Kenilworth. It is not a dark work though it is serious in tone, and it is a pity it is seldom played. Variation 2 requires some quick-fire tonguing from the whole group, and some seriously precise ensemble which here is perfect. The finale, a stately polonaise, sounds wonderfully rich, each line beautifully balanced.
The other works are superb arrangements of which the highlights are the selections from the ballets Checkmate, arranged by Eric Ball, and Adam Zero, arranged by Robert Childs, which are breathtaking in their virtuosity. The programme is well put together and demonstrates the essence of Bliss’s style. The Black Dyke Band are one of the finest bands in the world, and under their Honorary President John Wilson it is easy to see why.
Review by Paul RW Jackson