Other Reviews: 

Mask 2005 Iwan Fox 4barsrest.

Brett Baker is one of the brass band movement's most innovative solo performers. Since the launch of his first CD ‘Bone Idyll' nearly a decade ago, he has featured on five solo recordings as well as over twenty other major releases, and has also been responsible for the commissioning of a number of major new works for trombone from leading brass composers as well having numerous specially written concert items dedicated to him.

He has been one of the banding worlds leading performers on the concert and contest stage, and has never shied away from putting his technique, musicianship and crucially, his reputation on the line by exploring different genres. He may not look it, but he doesn't half have some guts and prize-winning appendages of a Grand National winner to go with all that talent.    

This release entitled, ‘Mask' sees him yet again forge new links and explore new areas with a CD that contains four contemporary trombone concertos from four leading modern English composers – Ivor Hodgson, Derek Bourgeois, Marc Own (from which the title is taken) and Gordon Jacob. In addition he has decided to perform the works with a military band in the form of The Band of the Light Division.

As we have said – he has gone out of his way to try something new and different, to risk his reputation in a bid to expand the scope of the brass band trombone as a solo instrument.

He succeeds splendidly.  

All four of the Concertos are given outstanding performances, enhanced by the extra colours, timbres and shades that a top quality military band can bring out under some sympathetic direction. That direction also allows the soloist to explore those very same areas of the instrument as the usual monochrome accompaniment of the brass band is replaced by a richer, yet subtler sound palette of the wind ensemble, which on this occasion is cleverly controlled throughout in dynamic by the MD, Major Calum Gray.

The soloist is therefore never swamped by the same tone colours that invariably occur in the brass band, and it allows Brett Baker to make subtle changes of nuance, style, timbre and tessitura texture which enhance the performances and show a great deal of his mastery of the soloist craft.

The works themselves cover from the pens of composers who cover three centuries: Gordon Jacob born in the tail end of Victorian Britain in 1895; Derek Bourgeois born in War torn London in 1941 and Marc Owen (born in 1956) and Ivor Hodgson (born in 1959). The latter three are all alive and kicking, and most importantly, composing in the 21st Century. Each has a distinctive individual style, but each is linked musically by their modernist outlook on form and structure. The music is open and transparent, yet challenges the listener to reflect on its musical architecture – it is immensely detailed writing.

The Jacob ‘Concerto for Trombone' is the most readily identifiable, written as it was for Denis Wick and performed over the years by many leading trombone exponents. It is though a piece that remains fresh and interesting exactly 50 years after it was written, and the main reason for that here is that Brett Baker allows the music to flow in an almost unconscious stream of lyricism. It is a lovely performance.

The Bourgeois ‘Sonata for Trombone and Wind Band' was written initially as a solo piece with piano accompaniment, but Brett Baker asked the composer to rescore it for brass band, which he successfully did in 2000 and it was subsequently brilliantly played by the Vienna Philharmonic's Ian Bousefield with the YBS Band on the ‘Bourgeois in Brass' CD. 

At the same time however, the composer also rescored it for Wind Band, and in this form Brett Baker gives an equally brilliant performance; capturing the thrill and brio of the opening movement through to the playfulness of the second, the lyric singing of the third and the ferocious brilliance of the closing section.  

The third Concerto comes from the pen of Ivor Hodgson and his ‘Trombone Concerto' written initially for orchestral accompaniment, then brass band and finally wind band.  It is perhaps the most contrasting in style and colour of all four works on show with a lovely central section of relaxed almost jazz inspired coolness that is allowed to develop it the final section before a fast and furious climax reiterates thematic material used in the opening movement. It is the most ‘modern' sounding of the three, but in a way that is almost the most ‘classical' in feel – a wonderful juxtaposition that the soloist revels in. 

Finally, ‘Mask' – ‘Concerto for Trombone and Wind Band' by Marc Owen.  The kernel of the thematic material comes from a 19th century writer called Jean Paul, in which he describes a masked ball. This inspiration is explored by the composer throughout the work, through the uneven waltz of the opening section, the unfulfilled love theme of the second, and an almost chamber like feel of the third which ends in a climactic flourish.

It is a work of dark hues, dislocated themes and meanings. Nothing is quite what it seems at times (rather like the wearing of a mask to cover true identity) as thematic material is heard in varying forms and structures, some of which develop further, some that do not, like musical red herrings.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but when you do it is a work of stature and purpose, and all the more enjoyable for the degree of technical facility and musical breadth imposed by the soloist.  

Congratulations go to Brett Baker once more for taking a calculated risk with this release and giving the listener an unique opportunity to enjoy a CD of contemporary solo works, well produced and delivered and performed with real meaningful artistic merit. Where next for Mr Baker we wonder? Wherever it is, it will be well worth listening out for.

Meditation: 2003 from 4barsrest

A master class in the art of trombone playing with this latest release by Black Dyke's Brett Baker. Supported on by piano by Fenella Hawarth-Smith, Brett is in fine form with music geared to the classical ear. Any would-be trombonists who want to know how it is done should invest in this recording. His trombone colleagues from Black Dyke (Adrian Hirst and Gary McPhee) accompany Brett in three items that are delightful on the ear.

If you have enjoyed Metamorphosis from euphonium star, David Childs, this is a disc you will enjoy. Different instruments, but a demonstration of first rate playing with no band in site.

Meditation: The Bandsman

Credo 2003 by Derick Kane

Mississauga Temple Band, Canada, has titled and themed its latest recording Credo – concentrating on those things Salvationists believe in: faith, love, trust. Brett Baker, Black Dyke Band’s principal trombone, is the featured soloist. The band begins with the festival march ‘Salvation’s Song’ (William Gordon), giving us a bright and lively start.

‘Laude’ (James Curnow) then gives the band opportunity to display different moods, colour and textures in variations on the hymn ‘Praise To The Lord, The Almighty’, in which the band successfully conveys a sense of reflection, majesty and praise.

Ian Robinson’s ‘Morning Star’ lets the band relax into swing style that is convincing and rhythmic.

‘On The King’s Highway’ (Erik Leidzén), described in the sleeve notes as ‘an eloquent street march’, is a classic, and a reminder of the unique ‘Leidzénesque’ musical character.

‘Credo’ (Lorne Barry) was introduced in the UK at the 2003 Territorial Music School, and had an immediate impact. The strength of melody and scope of colour make it a very satisfying piece, for performer and listener. In this performance the band exudes commitment to the music and conveys a real sense of Christian faith. It’s a good performance of a piece which I’m sure will be a popular choice for bands to play. Hopefully there is much more to come from the composer, a Salvationist at Brisbane City Temple Corps.

Brett Baker has a worldwide reputation as a soloist and his playing on this album underlines his talent.

‘Song Of Exuberance’ (Leslie Condon) is a classic solo from Salvation Army repertoire and is brilliantly played. Excellent technique and a beautiful jazz-style central section make this a flawless performance. There’s good support from the band, too, in the intricate accompaniment. ‘Concert Etude’ (Goedicke, arr William Brougton) highlights the performer’s technical skill in this study originally written for trumpet.

‘From That Sacred Hill’ (Dick Krommenhoek) is an effective setting of this melody emphasising Christian faith and hope, for which Brett is joined by two of the band’s trombonists.

‘Now ‘ (Ty Watson) is based on the tune ‘Gordon’ associated with the song ‘My Jesus, I Love Thee’. The composer is the band’s bass trombonist.

‘Let The Beauty Of Jesus’ (William Brougton) is a very clever jazz waltz arrangement of this old chorus, expertly played by the soloist. An excellent track. ‘I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked’ (Peter Graham) is a contemplative arrangement of a gospel song. Again, it’s a fine arrangement, beautifully played.

Brett Baker’s final solo contribution is ‘Swing That Door’ (William Broughton). The old Army chorus ‘Swing Wide The Door Of Your Heart To The King of Kings’ gets the trademark Brougton big band treatment in this very enjoyable number.

Congratulations, then, to Brett for the technical, communicative and presentation skills brought to us through his trombone playing!

To Bandmaster David Moulton and the band, thanks are also in order for their musical presentation, their accompanying work and their reminder to us all that we do what we do through Christian faith, trust, hope and love.

DERICK KANE
Salvationist – 1 November, 2003

Phenomenon: 1999 from 4barsrest 2002

It's not often you get a specialised CD release of two of the UK's leading brass soloists playing an eclectic mix of old and new solo compositions, but this is a welcome and very enjoyable undertaking.

Both Brett Baker and Ian Porthouse have garnered well deserved reputations as soloists, and this CD confirms their current standing at the very top of a very competitive tree. Not only are there a number of new compositions, but both soloists take the risk of exploring unconventional areas.

Thus Ian Porthouse is heard very impressively playing flugel, Eflat and piccolo trumpets as well as displaying his usual impeccable cornet playing, whilst Brett extends himself to the limits with new and challenging works from Rodney Newton and Paul Lovatt-Cooper. The disappointment is that with two talented soloists there is only the one duet by Robin Dewhurst.

Flowers Band are well directed by a trio of conductors and provide sympathetic accompaniment throughout, whilst the standard of recording is high. Congratulations to producer Philip Sparke and his engineer Michael Moor who have kept the acoustics clean and dry which gives the listener the chance to concentrate on the soloists and not the band. A nice front cover to the CD by the band's baritone player Carolyn Chandler and some excellent sleeve notes are appreciated.

The music is varied, with "Twister" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Newton's "Dick Turpin's Ride to York" welcome solo additions for the trombone and Arthur Pryor's "Love's Enchantment" giving ample opportunity for Brett Baker to cover a classic variation solo from years gone by.

Ian Porthouse gives a commanding performance of James Curnow's "Concertpiece for Cornet", but it's his command of the flugel and piccolo which is so pleasing – class playing throughout.