'Cornerstones Vol 2 - Variations' is the latest CD produced by the Cory Band. This is the second instalment in the band's Cornerstones series, the aim of which is to present some of the most cherished and celebrated pieces in the brass band repertoire . The first in the series was Landscapes and the music drew its inspiration from the physical world in which we live.

As with the first Cornerstones CD there is playing of the very highest standard, which is nothing less you would expect and have grown accustomed to with Cory's and it conductor Philip Harper. This next album is entitled Variations and every piece takes this musical structure as its starting point. Theme and Variations is an architecture which has been used by composers since the 16th century with seminal examples by Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, and Schoenberg, amongst countless others. In imaginative hands the form can be infinitely fascinating and, with all musical material stemming from the same source, a rigorous set of variations has inbuilt tight-knit musical integrity.

On this show we are featuring an Eric Ball classic from 1961 British Open contest. I am sure for many listeners this will bring back memories from their own playing days