Vaughan Williams on Brass

Albion Records presents the Tredegar Town Band, conducted by Ian Porthouse and Martyn Brabbins in a programme of works by Vaughan Williams written or arranged for brass band. Ross Knight joins them as the Tuba soloist in the Tuba Concerto.

The album includes the composer’s three pieces for brass band – Henry the Fifth Overture, Prelude on Three Welsh Hymns and Variations for Brass Band. In addition we hear the brass band version of the Tuba Concerto and many new arrangements of popular pieces by Paul Hindmarsh (who curated and produced the album) and Phillip Littlemore.

To order click the link below.

Vaughan Williams on Brass - Ralph Vaughan Williams Society (rvwsociety.com)

What does The Bandsman think?

This is a great album, the choice of pieces is perfect and really gives you a great insight into the compositions of Vaughan Williams, the pieces that he wrote for Brass Band are stand out pieces (Henry the Fifth Overture, Prelude on Three Welsh Hymns, Variations for Brass Band) and the new arrangements by Paul Hindmarsh and Phillip Littlemore have been thoughtfully put together, the highlight is difficult to pick from the brilliant line up, but for me the new arrangement of 'English Folk Songs Suite' takes it, the change back to the original key gives the piece a lift and takes what was already a great composition and brings it to a new level.

Suite from the 49th Parallel is another that is a good listen, I enjoyed the live performance of this when seeing Tredegar Town Band in concert and the album captures the piece perfectly, the live performance is always difficult to match, but the recording is one I have had on repeat a number of times.

Tuba Soloist Ross Knight takes us through 'Tuba Concerto in F minor', not a piece I had heard before and as a Tuba player I really appreciate the amazing playing from Ross, such a fantastic tone and the clarity of playing is a delight, in the slower tempo the full sound is astonishing and as the tempo builds the clarity remains and that full sound is maintained, another great addition to the album.

The opening piece of the album is 'Flourish for Band', a great start and makes a statement about what is coming. The 1924 ‘Sea Songs’ is a very bright piece that gives the flavour of being on the sea, with pirate encounters and a typical sea shanty really giving a lift to this very energetic and enjoyable piece.

Prelude on Rhosymedre is a beautiful piece, the arrangement pulls the very best sounds of a brass band together, some quite delightful phrases and a piece that any band can purchase and play and a perfect addition to a concert programme.

This album is the perfect combination of original works from the composer, well constructed arrangements, a great soloist and to pull it all together we are hearing Tredegar Town Band at their very best. I have had the pleasure of hearing Tredegar for a number of years and in my opinion they are on the crest of a wave, there is a huge amount to admire about the playing on this Album.

In Summary: The album is one of the best I have heard in recent years, the pieces included are all a great listen in their own way, a good marker for an album is that repeat option and this album has been on repeat for me for the 2 weeks I have had it.

At £10.99 this is great value for money, I know options will be available to download the MP3, I would recommend you also download the notes for the album, there is a huge amount of information and insight into the pieces in the notes that accompany the album and well worth a read.

On a final note: Bravo to Paul Hindmarsh and Phillip Littlemore for this 'labour of love', your hard work has paid off and you have produced a great album that will always be a 'go to' when I am looking for an album to listen to.

Rob Tompkins