World of Pageantry

The Foden's Band have completed the very rare "double" of winning both the British Open and the National Championships of Great Britain brass band competitions, the latter at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Playing Howard Snell's transcription of Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe (suite no.2) the band beat a magnificent Brighouse and Rastrick who finished in 2nd place. This is not a typical brass band piece, lots of individual exposure requiring masterful individual performances. Listen carefully and remember this is a brass band, because you'll swear that you hear woodwinds at times.

You can listen to their winning performance at the link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0105xz1

Dave, I've become a little more attracted to listening to European brass bands since this past summer with Crown doing some of the literature by Paul Lovatt-Cooper (also thanks to Charlie Frey). I tend to think that PLC has the makings of becoming the next John Williams.

I've picked up tracks by the Black Dyke Mills Band, the Cory Band, and one by Brass Band Heist (Belgium)...mostly from World of Brass.

It's really tasty stuff (and I'm a woodwind player).

...and speaking of John Williams...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPz0dcuK6Rg (I suggest the use of headphones.)