Connections to Variations
Ray Farr considers connections to Variations for Brass Band by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
While reading the excellent article ‘The Work of a Heavyweight: Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Variations for brass band (1957) is regarded as a late masterpiece,’ British Bandsman, Issue 6048 (June 4, 2020) by Professor Stephen Arthur Allen, I had a light-bulb moment. I suddenly realised a connection between the opening theme of Variations and a melody by Eric Ball.
I then read the full article by Stephen which he had published in the Musical Times (Summer 2020) called “Redeeming RVW” where he revealed and explained the importance of the Variations for Brass Band within the works of the great composer and within the brass band literature.
I share Stephen’s passion and appreciation of the music of RVW, however in analysing the Variations there is a further aspect which needs consideration, and that is the connection between the brass band music of RVW and that of Eric Ball.
We know that RVW admired Ball’s music from the book by Brindley Boon Play the Music, Play, and we know that at the BBC recording (11th March 1955) of the Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes, made by the ISB/Adams, the march Fight On! (Eric Ball) was also included in the programme. The march Fight On! “attracted generous praise” by RVW and this appreciation of the march may have had a deeper effect than we realise.
It was in the summer of 1962 during a Salvation Army Band Camp at Sunbury Court, near London, that I played Eric Ball’s March Fight On! and I remember the piece well. But it’s only now that I realise a connection.
The Salvation Army Band Camp at Sunbury Court. The George Marshall Band conducted by Zander Greig.
Ray Farr sits as 2nd solo cornet. Picture belonging to the author.
The excellent analysis by Professor Stephen Allen of the Variations for Brass Band (RVW 1957)
points out the importance of the opening “Theme”:
Copyright Oxford University Press. Extract used with permission.
Below we can see the similarity of Eric Ball’s theme in Fight On!
Copyright 1942 by SP&S Ltd. Judd St., London, WC 1. Extract used with permission.
This main theme, which appears in the Trio, is based on an earlier song published
in the Musical Salvationist, June 1941.
Copyright 1941 by SP&S Ltd. Judd St., London, WC 1. Extract used with permission.
The similarity between RVW’s Variation theme (1957) and E. Ball’s Fight On! (1942) is clear. My point is, was RVW so strongly impressed by E.B.’s theme in Fight On! that he “borrowed” it for his Variations?
On further reflection, as Professor Allen points out, RVW uses the rising phrase in several earlier works. But so does E B:
The Triumph of Peace from 1939:
The main theme from Triumph of Peace by E. Ball. Published by SP&S. Extract used with permission.
And Festival March- Torchbearers from 1933:
The main theme from Torchbearers by E. Ball. Published by SP&S. Extract used with permission.
What seems clear is that both composers were watching each other carefully and any way you look at it, Bandmaster Bernard Adams’ choice of March- Fight On! to be played by the ISB on the 1955 BBC broadcast, alongside of Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes, was remarkably astute.
Ray Farr
