Brass Band Northwest: Cloudcatcher Fells
$10/$5 suggested donation
Philip Sparke — Cantilena
John McCabe — Cloudcatcher Fells
Edward Gregson — Chalk Farm No. 2
Alex Shapiro — Papercut
Alfred Reed — Ode to Trumpet
Gustav Holst — First Suite in E-flat major for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1
Gregson – Intrada
Sparke – Cantilena
McCabe – Cloudcatcher Fells
Gregson – Chalk Farm No. 2
Shapiro – Papercut
Reed – Ode to Trumpet
Holst – First Suite in E flat
Regarding Cloudcatcher Fells, the composer writes:
"The title comes from the poem Cockermouth by David Wright, which I found in The Lake District: An Anthology, published in 1977 by Robert Hale and subsequently reprinted by Penguin Books. The fourth verse runs:
And Derwent shuffles by it, over stones.
And if you look up the valley toward Isel
With Blindcrake to the north, cloudcatcher fells,
Whose waters track past here to Workington.
The work is associated with various places, mostly mountainous, in the Lake District which have particular personal significance for the composer. The emphasis is on the Patterdale area, which I grew to love and know intimately when I spent three months there (on doctor's orders) in 1948 and to which I have returned regularly since."
Holst is a favorite composer of wind and brass instrumentalists, so we are happy to present his justly famous Suite in E flat. His two suites for military band are both infused with the influence of English folk song, with the Suite in E flat noted for the depth of expression in the opening passacaglia.
Alex Shapiro is a northwest composer who frequently combines live instruments with prerecorded sound. Originally for wind band, Ms. Shapiro granted permission for us to arrange this work, Papercut, for brass band.
Throughout the season we have featured the music of Edward Gregson. Mr Gregson has written many important works for wind band and brass band as well as concertos featuring brass instrumental soloists.
In June we perform two early works, Chalk Farm No. 2 (Perhaps the worst name ever given to a piece of music?) and Intrada. Both works are vivacious, displaying the enthusiasm of a young composer.
In our first concert he was represented by Connotations a mature and virtuosic work and in April by his masterwork, The Plantagenets.
Recommended donation: $10/$5