Program No. 62 - Music by Philip Sparke

There wouldn't be many brass band or concert band players out that aren't familiar with Philip Sparke's works.

London born, in 1951, and with his first composition in 1973 (Gaudium), Sparke has written well over 150 works for both brass and concert bands.

Over the years the bands that I have been involved in have played a number of his works, as they are often used as test pieces at both state and national level, both here in Australia, as well as overseas.

Tonight's program will look at only a small selection of his vast catalogue of works, and only for brass bands. Something tells me there will be one or two more shows in the future featuring more of his music.

So, what's on?:

1. Sandstone Centennial (2007)
This march was commissioned by Frodsham Silver Band to celebrate their centenary as a band, and is styled as a traditional march. This recording is by Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk with  Klaas van der Woude as conductor, from the album Colour of Brass (2008).

2. The Land of the Long White Cloud - Aotearoa (1979)
This was one of Sparke's first major pieces, and is probably the first piece I recall playing from Sparke. I think that this piece still stands up quite well, and doesn't sound as dated as other major works that I have heard composed in the 70s. This is now seen as a B Grade major work, though back in the 80s it was seen as an A Grade Test Piece. This just shows you how the standard of playing within the brass band movement has increased over the years. This particular recording is by National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand with Nigel Weeks as conductor, from the album Brass Aotearoa: Music for Brass Band from New Zealand (2003).

3. Fugue from Graduation Day (1986)
This piece (full name Prelude, Toccata and Fugue - Graduation Day) was commissioned by Salford College of Technology to be played at the college's 1986 graduation ceremony by their relatively new brass band. The music depicts both the traditional and contemporary sounds of the brass band repertoire at that time. This recording by Buy As You View Cory Band with Robert Childs as conductor from their album Diadem of Gold (2000).

4. Capriccio (1979)
This Eb Soprano Cornet solo was one of the first solo pieces written by Sparke. This recording is by Williams Fairey Band with Major Peter Parkes as conductor, from their album Double Champions (1993).

5. Hymn of the Highlands (2002)
This lengthy (36 minutes) concert piece was commissioned by Professor David King who was at the time conducting the Yorkshire Building Society Band, and was the played at the 2002 European Brass Band Championships Gala Concert, in Brussels.

The concept here was to develop a themed piece that would work as a half concert, and featuring a number of the band's soloists.

There are 7 movements in this work and all are named after locations in the Scottish Highlands:

1. Ardross Castle
2. Summer Isles (Euphonium Solo)
3. Flowerdale (Eb Soprano Cornet Solo)
4. Strathcarron - Sword Dance
5. Lairg Muir (Cornet Solo)
6. Alladale (Flugel Horn, Baritone and Tenor Horn Trio)
7. Dundonnell - Finale

The Flowerdale movement is often used as a standalone solo piece, for Soprano Cornet.
 
I especially enjoy the Finale, having played this on stage only a few weeks ago.

This recording is by Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band with David King as conductor from the album titled Hymn of the Highlands.

6. Music of the Spheres (2004)
This major work was also commissioned by Yorkshire Building Society Band for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships at Glasgow.

The piece reflects Sparke's fascination with the origins of the universe, and space.

The opening of this piece is played by the Tenor Horn at t=0 (or the time of The Big Bang, the creation of time and space). This is then followed by a slower section titled The Lonely Planet (Earth). This is then followed by Asteroids and Shooting Stars, depicting objects flying through space and the piece ends with The Unknown,

This recording is from that 2004 European Championships, and played by Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band with David King as conductor.

7. A Tale as Yet Untold (2010)
This was commissioned for the 2010 European Championships in Linz, Austria, though this time by Cory Band.

I'll quote directly from Sparke himself about what this piece is about:

The ‘tale’ of the title is an autobiographical one which the composer feels need not be divulged to explain the programme of the music, which deals with a much more general human condition. The first movement opens with a nervous repetitive figure in the cornets, under which an impassioned theme develops. This is cut short by a closely related faster section which comprises two alternating moods: an aggressive ‘toccata’ interspersed by a yearning 6/8 melody. The second movement is the heart of the work and symbolises the ability of the human soul to overcome the ‘Sturm und Drang’ of the first movement with an indomitable sense of optimism. The third movement tries to negate this feeling of peace but ends triumphantly in a salute to the power of the human spirit.

This was used as the test piece for the Elitedivisjon of the National Brass Band Championships of Norway this year. The recording tonight is from that contest and features the winning band, Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, with David King as the conductor.

Next week's topic - staying with brass bands, and looking at brass band arrangements of movie music (for something different!)