Dynasty (Peter Graham) - Fodens Band conducted by Russell Gray

Dynasty was premiered at the 2019 British Open Brass Band Championships and pays tribute to one of the brass community's legendary figures, Harry Mortimer (1902 - 1992). Using key passages from Mortimer's autobiography On Brass as the source for the narrative and in keeping with the "heritage" nature of the subject, the work takes the form of a Symphonic Poem, a musical structure first introduced to contest audiences at the Crystal Palace in 1913. The work opens with a four-note leitmotif and the timeline unfolds as follows:
0:14 1 - Harry (One's destiny decided at birth “I'll make him the best cornet player in England”).
2:40 2 - War (Why do the nations so furiously rage together? Fred volunteers for military service)
4:10 3 - Theatre (And suddenly “I dashed to the rescue like a hero in the silent movies I was about to get to know so well”)
4:54 4 - Journey (Rejoice greatly “A new life in Cheshire with a promising band called Foden's”)
7:09 5 - Together (Come unto me “A golden age”)
7:55 6 - Farewell (For behold, darkness “Fred's death surely marked the passing of an era”)
12:05 7 - Amen (The Trumpet shall sound - Farewell reprised)
Extracts from the score can be downloaded here:
www.gramercymusic.com/image/D...
(Video footage by kind permission of www.worldofbrass.tv)

[@rolandvanbuggenhout876]

What is nice blended sound, never overblowing, very good dynamics, and... what a conductor, he IS music, bravo

[@lukavanrensburg7041]

6:29 - High C# by the sop, so strong. Insane

[@curt-7259]

Wow! What a performance! Just superb. Amazing blend and virtuosity.

[@iangreenhalgh5383]

My preferred version

[@Trompeter1971]

The conductor has incredible tension, he really conducts the band, they follow him. Very sparkling Sop solo. Thanks for sharing

[@guidovanhaalen4432]

great ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪great sound! ♫♪♫♪ ☺ ♥ ♫♪☺♫♪ great ♫♪♫♪♫♪☺ BRAVISSIMO @bisbis 🎶🎵🎼 great music! a well tuned ensemble that sounds like an organ ! Fabulous banding

[@jantubaman]

Very good sound of the basses. Thank You!

[@jajoh6473]

Euphonium , Gary !! Wonderfull 👍👍👍. Simply the best !!

[@lalalalelele1189]

Great Sop and Baritone!

[@georgedoherty3648]

Incredible performance

[@mikep7814]

A top draw musical performance.

[@edgarwilliams608]

What a great performance they deserved better than 3rd.

[@johnkennedy8836]

I agree Edgar. I listened to all 18 and I would have given them first place just ahead of Cory. A lovely musical performance with all soloists at the top of their game!

[@peterwilliams506]

Wilky and pooley, class is permanent, bravo! Fantastic performance by all, the band is always SO tight and dynamic. Brilliant interpretation from MD aswell, really great listen.

[@rhinopub1]

Simply brilliant!!

[@CornetBlues]

My God

[@peterhenshaw1655]

Keep returning to this superb performance. Needs far larger diameter cymbals on the last note to complement the sonorous tone of this marvellous band.

[@lukavanrensburg7041]

I thought the exact same thing. It's strange because on triumph of time a couple years prior the last cymbal crash was momentous.

[@TheSproutarian]

Is Gary Curtin the best euphonioum player ever or what.