Talk Subjects
Chris Helme
Hamish MacCunn (22 March 1868 – 2 August 1916) was a Scottish Romantic composer, conductor and teacher. His opera Diarmid, was produced at Covent Garden on 23 October 1897. His other music includes cantatas, concert overtures, part-songs, instrumental pieces and songs, all markedly Scottish in type. He had a genuine love of Scottish folksong, and although he lived in London he was a lifelong champion of Scottish music and of the country’s musical life.
His first success was with the overture The Land of the Mountain and the Flood on 5 November 1887 at the Crystal Palace and this remains far and away his best-known piece. It was followed by other compositions, always with a characteristic Scottish colouring. From 1888 to 1894 MacCunn was a professor at the Royal College of Music.
This Overture was arranged for brass Bands by Glyn Bragg and is featured on this week’s show. It was used as the 2nd section National Final test piece in London on the 9 October 1976.
Enjoy......
Derek Bourgeois b: 1941. After university education at Magdalene College, he spent two years at the Royal College of Music, studying composition / conducting.
1971/84, he lectured at Bristol University and director of the National Youth Orchestra from 1984/93. In 1980 he began conducting the Sun Life Band, his introduction to the world of brass bands.
1994, appointed Director of Music at St Paul's Girls School, London, a position previously held by a number of noted composers.
The First International Conference for Conductors, Publishers and Composers awarded him with their main commission in 1981. He founded the National Youth Chamber Orchestra of GB in 1988 and has been a member of the Music Advisory Panel of the Arts Council. He is a prolific composer for brass bands. On this week's show is the Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas which Derek arranged for brass bands.
Hello Everyone – Just a week to go now – here is another two hours of seasonal music from some of the best brass bands in the business.
There are some old favourites, something new and perhaps just one or two you have not heard for such a long time. As always we have some fine soloists.
Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Baline (11.11.1888 – 22.9.1989) a Russian-born American composer/ lyricist, considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.
Born in Russia, arriving in USA at the age of five. Published his first song in 1907, receiving 33 cents for the publishing rights. His first major international hit was Alexander's Ragtime Band in 1911. This sparked an international dance craze in places as far away as Russia.
Known for writing music and lyrics in the American vernacular with his stated aim being to "reach the heart of the average American," whom he saw as the "real soul of the country.
He wrote hundreds of songs which made him "a legend" before he turned thirty. He wrote an 1,500 songs, including the scores for Broadway shows & Hollywood films. Many becoming popular themes and anthems, including Easter Parade, Happy Holiday and There's No Business Like Show Business.
A firm favourite is White Christmas and it closes today's show – Enjoy
Hello Brass Banders - From everybody here at Sunday Bandstand we send you our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Chris
Derek Broadbent commenced playing the cornet at the age of 9 with Thornton Cleveleys Silver. Following a career in H.M. forces as a musician for 8 years and studied at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, with the late Jack Mackintosh, he returned to civilian life as a professional arranger and musical director.
He became conductor at Slaithwaite band achieving success in contests and brought them back into the Championship section. He then became resident conductor Brighouse & Rastrick Band for 10 years. Conducting them to 2nd at the British Open; Premier place in the National Championships in 1980 and 2nd the following year. He was also responsible for their 'chart-topping' success of The Floral Dance. He was the resident conductor a Black Dyke Mills Band. He returned to B & R in 1987 for 3 years as MD.
Since 1990 Derek has been free-lance as a conductor, adjudicator and his arrangements / compositions are played throughout the band world.
Frederick Alton Jewell: b: 28.5.1875 d: 11.2.1936 - Worthington, Indiana , a prolific musical composer of over 100 marches and screamers,
Aged 16, he ran away from home and joined the Gentry Bros. Dog & Pony Show as a euphonium player. He also played the calliope.
Making excellent impressions with successful circus officials he rose through the ranks. Eventually landing himself as leader of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus band. He was also with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and the Sells-Floto Circus.
He retired from circuses in 1918 and travelled to Iowa becoming the leader of the Iowa Brigade Band. He then started his own publishing company and moved back to his hometown, Worthington, serving as the high school band director, as well as a steady composer of band music. He directed other local bands in Florida and Indiana also.
Frederick Jewell died in 1936 at the age of 61, in the place of his birth Worthington.
Our opening march is by Fred Jewell - Enjoy
This week the second hour of the show has a Russian theme and I have given it the title of 'Love From Moscow'. The image is Red Square Moscow at night.
Red Square is a city square (plaza) in Moscow, Russia. It separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitai-gorod. Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow since Moscow's major streets, which connect to Russia's major highways, originate from the square.
The music is a mix of music with both Russian composers and music that has a theme from Russia. Enjoy................
The second half of this week's show is a programme of music with a Space and Time theme. I intend to have other shows with a theme – perhaps if you have an idea for this kind of show (second half of the programme) let me know.
The image is courtesy of Kim D. French.
Grammercy Brass Orchestra New York, USA
MD: John Henry Lambert
Label: EOM CD7752
Talks Available
All the presentations are timed to last up to an hour except where shown - questions are gladly taken after the presentation. All have been presented to male, female and mixed audiences of varying age groups.
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A Postcard from the Past
The Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens, Halifax - Yorkshire’s Alton Towers of the…
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All in a Days Work
Reminiscences from 30 years in the Police Service – (humorous lecture presentation)…
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Legends from the world of Brass Bands
(Info-tainment – digital slides & music) – 1 hour presentation.
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A Week in May
A story based on the Murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish (of the…
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Memories of Christmas Past
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The Road to Publication
In 1979 I was asked to assist in presenting a series of…
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Holiday Memories from the Past
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How we used to live
We have all seen and experienced changes in our lives. Bring back…
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Other Folks Rubbish (Not suited to a Zoom presentation)
With a local history theme… – (thought provoking humorous lecture presentation) –…
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So you want to be a Pirate ? - The life of a Pirate was not all that it seemed
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Superstitions, New Year Resolutions and the Origins of St Valentine's Day
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Brighouse at Work
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Sorry but I am not able to accept any more face to face talk bookings at the present time ONLY ZOOM TALKS
