Two prestigious performances of music by Peter Graham took place over the weekend of 19th/20th August 2006.
Firstly, euphonium virtuoso David Childs linked up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play the orchestral version of Graham's showpiece for euphonium, Brillante - Fantasy on Rule Britannia.
The piece has a special resonance with David as it was originally composed as a duet for David's father Robert and uncle Nicholas Childs, the legendary Childs Brothers. David Childs has performed Brillante on many occasions - his recording with the RNCM Wind Orchestra, Metamorphosis is regarded as one of the finest available.
The 20th of August found the brass sections of the Royal Concertgebouw and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestras under Maris Jansons give the orchestral brass version of Shine as the Light. The concert was part of the Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival) held in Amsterdam, and included music by Prokofiev, Handel, Walton and Respighi in addition to the Graham. (With thanks to Don Jenkins for letting us know about this one!)
HHNew
recordings
Our top three pick of recently received CD's featuring Gramercy publications (in alphabetical order!):
DAY OF THE DRAGON CD: Osakan Live Collection Vol. 1 - The Day of the Dragon Osaka Philharmonic Winds, Conductor: Yosihiro Kimura (Recorded April 7 2006 import)
An excellent live performance from this recently formed young band which bodes well for the future.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH CD: Journey to the Centre of the Earth: New Wind Repertoire 2006 Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band, Conductor: Kazuyoshi Akiyama. OSMB-2812 (import)
Stunning playing from one of the world's great wind ensembles.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH CD: A Golden Year Black Dyke Band, Conductor: Dr Nicholas Childs. WOB24715
The world's most famous brass band at the peak of their powers, this CD could well become a classic.
HHThe Red Machine
Gramercy Music are always delighted to learn of performances of our publications. One such high profile occasion was the recent 2006 Bands of America National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival,
culminating with the National Honor Band of
America concert at Indianapolis’ stunning Clowes
Memorial Hall.
Ray E. Cramer, newly retired director of the famed Indiana University bands, directed the Honor Band
of America, which was comprised of members from Maine to Florida and throughout the country
to California, in Peter Graham's virtuoso concerto for wind band, The Red Machine. More information on this outstanding organization can be found on the Bands of America website.
HHCongratulations to Willebroek
All associated with Gramercy Music would like to congratulate the Brass Band Willebroek from Belgium on their success at the 2006 European Brass Band Championships.
The band, under the direction of maestro Frans Violet, performed Peter Graham's Journey to the Centre of the Earth as their own choice piece. This is the second successive year that the winning band has chosen Journey as their own choice (The Black Dyke Band were winners in 2005).
More information on the 2006 European Champions can be found on the BBWillebroek website.
