Basso Bravissimo!

Opis

Basso Bravissimo!

Opis:ReviewA rather thoughtful Steve Sykes looks out from the booklet cover of his latest CD, Basso Bravissimo! However, he has nothing to be melancholy about, since this latest release finds him on top form, with excellent accompaniment from the two featured bands. The album begins with an offering from Darrol Barry in the shape of Impromptu, a sprightly tour-de-force with a romantic central episode section. Utilising almost the full range of the instrument, this seven-minute showpiece makes an excellent starter to this attractive collection. Richard Phillips accompanies Steve Sykes in his own sensitive arrangement of the beautiful Irish melody, The Meeting of the Waters, whilst Steve Sykes' own arrangement of Jerome Kern's Pick Yourself Up involves a very lively Brass Band de Bazuin which, under the expert direction of its regular conductor, Klaas van der Woude, provides a pert accompaniment to the soloist's perky tuba. Denzil Stephens' Rondino forms a complete contrast to the high jinks of the previous track in its demonstration of sustained legato playing from both soloist and band in its first movement, while the second finds all light on their toes in the catchy rondo tune. Steve Sykes' effective arrangement of Drigo's romantic Serenade involves Richard Phillips once more and exploits the full lyrical qualities of the Eb tuba, while Leslie Condon's Radiant Pathway combines a lilting melody with some unexpected ear-catching false-relation harmonies. Sweet Georgia Brown, in an inventive arrangement by Steve Sykes himself, makes a successful vehicle for demonstrating the soloist's effortless technique, while Howard Snell's arrangement of the second movement of Vivaldi's Winter concerto from The Four Seasons, again demonstrates Steve Sykes' impressive command of the long phrases of a slow melody. Herbert L. Clarke's old war-horse, Bride of the Waves, is given a fleet-footed rendition by Steve Sykes and Richard Phillips that would surely have amazed and greatly impressed Clarke himself with its superb articulation and security, even in the highest register (particularly the last two cheeky stratospheric notes). The final track, Michael Brand's Four Temperaments is a substantial finale to this collection of varied pieces. Involving the Band of the Royal Norwegian Navy under Nigel Boddice, the work opens with a brief introduction for the soloist, before the main thrust of the first movement, which appears to relate to the confident, sanguine temperament. Unfortunately, the booklet notes do not include details of which temperament is being described, so one has to assume a certain amount. Melancholia is easy to spot in an extended meditative section, the jazz-inflected second section would appear to suggest a phlegmatic person and the helter-skelter finale seems representative of the fire of a choleric temperament. The solo part is full of colour and nuance while the band makes the most of the accompaniment. Recording is up to the usual high standard of Brian Hillson's B&H Sound Services team, while the booklet notes by Derick Kane give the insight of a fellow virtuoso performer. A very pleasant, highly recommendable release, and a further example of the supreme art of Steve Sykes - bravissimo! --Rodney Newton - British Bandsman, Saturday 19th April 2008Autor:Steve Sykes (tuba)Nośnik:Audio CDPłyt:Język: EnglishData wydania: 2008-02-11Waga: 0.18 gramWysokość: 0.6 cmSzerokość: 5 cmDługość: 5.6 cmUWAGA: Kupując produkt na tej aukcji zgadzasz się na wydłużony termin realizacji wysyłki (10-14 dni roboczych). Podany towar pochodzi z zagranicznego magazynu, stąd wydłużony czas realizacji który podany jest obok.