Central Band of the Royal Air Force & Duncan Stubbs - British Classics (2015) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. English Folk Song Suite: I. March "Seventeen Come Sunday"
02. English Folk Song Suite: II. Intermezzo "My Bonny Boy"
03. English Folk Song Suite: III. March "Folk Songs from Somerset"
04. 1st Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, H. 105: I. Chaconne
05. 1st Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, H. 105: II. Intermezzo
06. 1st Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, H. 105: III. March
07. 2nd Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, H. 106: I. March
08. 2nd Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, H. 106: II. Song Without Words "I'll Love My Love"
09. 2nd Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, H. 106: III. Song of the Blacksmith
10. 2nd Suite for Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, H. 106: IV. Fantasia on the Dargason
11. Lincolnshire Posy: I. Lisbon
12. Lincolnshire Posy: II. Horkstow Grange
13. Lincolnshire Posy: III. Rufford Park Poachers
14. Lincolnshire Posy: IV. The Brisk Young Sailor
15. Lincolnshire Posy: V. Lord Melbourne
16. Lincolnshire Posy: VI. The Lost Lady Found
17. Suite of English Folk Dances: I. Jenny Pluck Pears
18. Suite of English Folk Dances: II. Ten Pound Lass
19. Suite of English Folk Dances: III. Dick's Maggot
20. Suite of English Folk Dances: IV. Nonesuch
21. Suite of English Folk Dances: V. Hunt the Squirrel
22. Suite of English Folk Dances: VI. Woodicock
23. Rhapsody for Trombone and Brass Band

This new recording with The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, conducted by Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, features some of the greatest British pieces in the repertoire. The first military band to broadcast on BBC Radio, and the most frequently featured on the airwaves nowadays, it is at the forefront of military band and contemporary wind ensemble recording. Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, the Band’s conductor, comments: ‘In the late 1980s I was a bassoonist in The Central Band, performing on a previous recording of music by Holst, Vaughan Williams, and Grainger. To be the Principal Director of Music and conductor on this new recording marks the culmination of an ambition and a significant high point in my Royal Air Force career. The music represents some of the most iconic wind band repertoire, Holst’s Suites in particular having close links to our military heritage. Including Langford’s Rhapsody also continues our record of ‘firsts’ achieved by a British military band, similar events having been the first radio broadcast and the first LP recording. I am hopeful that this disc will continue the proud tradition of musical excellence that is synonymous with The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the band that it is my immense privilege to conduct.’

“… the highlight of the disc is most certainly reserved for the final track. Not only does Jonathan Hill shine as soloist in this version of Gordon Langford’s Rhapsody for Trombone and Brass Band, but there is something full and sumptuous about the accompaniment that goes beyond the already fine playing displayed elsewhere on the recording. Whether this is a reflection of the approach to scoring by the composer and arranger, or of the band’s response to Langford’s music, the combination of this work, the soloist Jonathan Hill and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force are worth making this album a definite purchase.” (Tom Davoren, Brass Band World Magazine)

"With such brilliant performances recorded vividly, there is no risk of the sequence outstaying its welcome. Pure delight for anyone in love with English folk music" (Gramophone Magazine)

"Holst’s two suites are marvels of concision and inventiveness, and work well alongside Vaughan Williams and Grainger in nostalgic vein" (Classical Music)

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