Iain Culross, Principal Cornet of Leyland Band, presents a stunning display of musicianship in his début solo CD. Accompanied by Leyland conducted by Russell Gray and Leigh Baker, Iain performs a varied mix of music from new works to staples of the repertoire.
Vanguard
The disc begins with the title track, Vanguard, a showcase of soloistic flair enhanced by an intricate band accompaniment. The juxtaposition of rock and march rhythms along with dark and atmospheric harmony create a serious piece with a light hearted edge. This is immediately contrasted with the traditional Scottish melody Mary of Argyll in a lovely setting by Iain’s father, Frank.
Concertino for Cornet by Jonathan Bates is the second new commission of the CD. The opening caprice leads in to a emotional elegy and later a whirlwind vivace section to close. Lucht Siuil (Walking People) is from Richard Rock’s ‘Heroes of Erin’ suite, and evokes a time following the devastating Irish Famine and the nomadic existence of those affected by it. Hejre Kati, originally by German violinist Jeno Hubay and adapted by Mexican trumpet virtuoso Raphael Mendez, has been skilfully adapted by Leyland’s musical director Leigh Baker is a fast-paced journey of technical brilliance.
From Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s blockbuster musical ‘Les Miserables’, Bring Him Home is a musical prayer to god, and highlights Iain’s wonderfully sensitive and delicate melodic playing. Fiero (Italian for ‘proud’) highlights virtuosity from both soloist and band, with the musical spotlight flitting between the two.
Adapted by the composer Darrol Barry specifically for this recording, Suite for Cornet is in four movements. The sombre barcarole of the first moevement is sharply contrasted by a lively latinesque second. This is followed by haunting third movement and a thrillingly technical finale. Arietta takes the form of the classical song, as pensive sections are intertwined with choruses. It takes it’s inspiration from the melodically rich music of the Salvation Army.
Charivari was written by John Iveson for trumpet virtuoso James Watson and draws upon the music of Spain, most notably ‘Granada’ and ‘Dark Eyes’. A tour-de-force, this is a firm favourite of many cornet and trumpet soloists, Iain included. Richard Rock’s mournful Elegy is the third movement from ‘The Hidden Soul of Harmony’. It was commissioned by Fitjar Skulekorps in Norway.
Willy Brandt’s Concertpiece no. 1 closes the album, and is reminiscent of the virtuoso violin concerti of the Romantic era. Brandt was a trumpeter in Russia at the turn of the 20th century and drew inspiration from the heritage of the music around him.
The CD is available to purchase and also as a digital download. Please click “Buy Now” at the bottom of this page for more information.
Track Listing:
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1
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Vanguard
|
James McFadyen |
|
2
|
Mary of Argyll | Traditional arr. Frank Culross |
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3
|
Concertino for Cornet | Jonathan Bates |
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4
|
Lucht Siuil (Walking People) | Richard Rock |
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5
|
Hejre Kati | Huby/Mendez arr. Leigh Baker |
|
6
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Bring Him Home * | Boublil/Shonberg arr. Keith Wilkinson |
|
7
|
Fiero *
|
Richard Rock |
|
8
|
Suite for Cornet Mvt. I | Darrol Barry |
|
9
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Suite for Cornet Mvt. II | Darrol Barry |
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10
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Suite for Cornet Mvt. III | Darrol Barry |
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11
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Suite for Cornet Mvt. IV | Darrol Barry |
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12
|
Arietta
|
Frank Culross |
|
13
|
Charivari
|
John Iveson |
|
14
|
Elegy
|
Richard Rock |
|
15
|
Concertpiece no. 1 | Willy Brandt arr. Leigh Baker |
Conducted by Russell Gray and (*) Leigh Baker
Total playing time – 75:04