Chris Helme - PATRON'S X

PATRON'S X

Foden's Band

MD: Michael Fowles

SP & S - Doyen DOYCD370

The disc opens with Grand Fanfare by Castro D’Addona. Latin American and jazz influences abound and the band gives a sparkling performance. Mark Wilkinson is the cornet soloist in Aria con Variazioni, a piece built on Handel’s ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’. Mark plays with a sense of style, allowing his considerable technique to let the music ‘speak’.

Dunlap’s Creek follows, written by Robert Bernat. Is based on a hymn tune of the same name, the band play with a rich sound and the MD gives the phrases shape and space. A baritone solo follows called When Sparks Fly by Tom Davoren. Sarah Lenton plays with panache, a full sound and good projection.

Blue by Thomas Gansch features Richard Poole on soprano and the quality of the playing shows why he is regarded as one of the finest around. A Farewell to Arms by Harrie Janssen is a work showing a variety of compositional techniques and gives the sections of the band chance to shine.

In contrast All Night Long by Lionel Richie is a piece with driving Caribbean rhythms and shows how well the band can play in different idioms. Principal trombone player John Barber features next in Someone Like You, and his silky tone conveys the romantic longings of Lucy, a principal character in the musical.

Supremacy by Matthew Bellamy and arranged by Simon Kerwin, is another example of the bands ability to switch mood and style, capturing the rock element with some great percussion playing. Chamber music follows in the form of a euphonium duet called Gypsy Earrings written by Ardeshir Farah and arranged byRyan McGeorge. David Thornton and Mark Bousie are the soloists with just piano, Bb bass and percussion accompanying. It is a delightful, rhythmic piece and you sense that the players really enjoyed themselves recording it.

Melanie Whyle is the featured flugel horn soloist in The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre. This lovely melody receives a performance of tender musicality and with a warm sound. The percussion section feature in The Clock with the Dresden Figures’ and they certainly paint the picture.

Wilfred Heaton’s Meditation Just as I Am is for me the highlight of the CD. Michael Fowles reading of this wonderful piece is of the highest quality. I recently heard this band and MD perform the work live and the impact on the audience was remarkable.

The final track Khachaturian’s The Triumphal Entry of Spartacus arranged by Howard Snell is taken from the ballet Spartacus and start with echoes of ‘The Pines of Rome’ and builds into a work of exotic tension and frenzy. The final chord made me tingle.

The whole disc shows a band and conductor on top form and where the sound, however big, is never blatant. I would highly recommend this CD.

PS. The CD notes omit the names of several arrangers / composers.

Tracks:

1. Grand Fanfare - Giancarlo Castro D'Addona - [7.29]

2 . Aria Con Variazioni - Handel Arr: Mark Eden

Cornet Soloist: Mark Wilkinson - [6.25]

3. Dunlap's Creek - Robert Bernat - [4.03]

4. When Sparks Fly - Tom Davoren - [4.25]

Baritone Soloist: Sarah Lenton

5. Blue - Thomas Gansch Transcribed: John Doyle

Soprano Soloist: Richard Poole [3.27]

6. A Farewell to Arms - Harrie Jansen - [4.46]