Sir Arthur Bliss contributed two staples of the brass band repertoire - Kenilworth and The Belmont Variations, whose enduring success inspired arrangers to turn to his other compositions, for example Eric Ball and Four Dances from the ballet Checkmate or Phillip Littlemore's suite from the film score for Things to Come. Three new arrangements have been made especially for this album: Robert Childs' suite from the ballet Adam Zero, and Michael Halstenson's arrangements of Music from the Royal Palaces and Welcome the Queen. Collectively this programme reflects the essence of Bliss's compositional style: the inherent drama of his scores for film, ballet, and television and his flair for the ceremonial, especially in the context of his position as Master of the Queen's Music. Black Dyke Band, tracing it's continuous history back to 1855, is the most recorded band in the world, having produced a discography of more than 350 recordings to date. It is also the most successful contesting band in the world, having won the European Championships thirteen times, the British Open thirty times and the National Championships of Great Britain twenty-four times. In 2023, they appointed conductor John Wilson as their Honorary President.

Tracklist:

Welcome the Queen, F 95
Kenilworth, F 13~
At the Castle Gates. In quick march time - At moderate speed -
Kenilworth, F 13~
Serenade on the Lake. Fairly slowly, with solos very expressive -
Kenilworth, F 13~
March: Kenilworth (Homage to Queen Elizabeth). Introduction. In quick march time - March. [ ] - With slightly more movement - Te
Suite from 'Adam Zero', F 1~I. Fanfare Overture. Allegro molto - Pochissimo meno mosso
Suite from 'Adam Zero', F 1~II. Dance of Spring. Allegro spirito - [PiÃ¹ mosso]
Suite from 'Adam Zero', F 1~III. Approach of Autumn. Larghetto - Tranquillo - A tempo, but moving a little - Poco meno mosso - A
Suite from 'Adam Zero', F 1~IV. Dance of Summer. Allegro (maestoso) - Alla marcia
Suite from 'Adam Zero', F 1~V. Fanfare Coda. Allegro molto - Molto vivo
Things to Come, F 131~
Ballet for Children. Moderato - Tempo di valse - PiÃ¹ mosso - Alla Marcia - Tempo I
Things to Come, F 131~
Machines. Moderato
Things to Come, F 131~
Reconstruction. Moderato maestoso - Maestoso
Things to Come, F 131~
March. Moderato
Belmont Variations, F 10~Moderato - Theme [Moderato] -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation I. Legato e grazioso -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation II. Lightly and staccato (scherzando) -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation III. Slow and expressive -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation IV. In waltz time, with light accompaniment - Cadenza ad libitum for Cornet, Euphonium, and T
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation V. Brilliant and rhythmic -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Variation VI. Quiet and smooth. Trombone Trio - Quartet -
Belmont Variations, F 10~Finale. In stately and brilliant polonaise rhythm
Music from 'The Royal Palaces', F 128~Queen Victoria's Call to the Throne. Alla Marcia -
Music from 'The Royal Palaces', F 128~The Ballroom in Buckingham Palace. Fanfare - Tempo di Valse - Fanfare - [Tempo di Valse] -
Music from 'The Royal Palaces', F 128~Joust of the Knights in Armour (George IV's Reign). Distantly - Lively -
Music from 'The Royal Palaces', F 128~Melodrama. The Murder of Rizzio in Holyrood House. Slow and Sinister - Quick and Agitated
Music from 'The Royal Palaces', F 128~The Royal Palace Theme. Maestoso
Four Dances from 'Checkmate', F 2~
Dance of the Four Knights. Allegro moderato sempre robustamente - Allegro risoluto e deciso
Four Dances from 'Checkmate', F 2~
The Red Knight's Mazurka. Allegro giojosamente - Animato - Tempo I - Pochissimo meno mosso - Pochissimo piÃ¹ mosso - Animato - T
Four Dances from 'Checkmate', F 2~
Ceremony of the Red Bishops. Largamente (misticamente) - PiÃ¹ mosso (andante) - Largamente -
Four Dances from 'Checkmate', F 2~
Finale. Checkmate. Allegro vivace e feroce - Moderato maestoso - Grave

UPC: 095115534427
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 8.9.24
Format: CD

Bliss / Black Dyke - Music For Brass Band (Hybr) (CD)