Graham Cole: Pentacle

[@MattEden97]

Thank you for sharing this recording! This piece is sadly a mostly forgotten gem of contemporary band repertoire

[@ptangptang6515]

Would get so much more attention if Graham Cole had instead titled it "The Fifth Element".

[@petedenton9434]

I remember working on this in 2009 and disliking it at the time. It felt very much like a disjointed mishmash of stuff. I really wanted to enjoy this listening through again 15 years alter. I still dislike the piece but have revised my opinion to it being a disjointed mishmash with several interesting moments. This is a surprise because I am generally quite receptive to much of the more 'unconventional' brass band works of the 1970s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s. For me, the apparent in-cohesion makes the piece less than the sum of its parts... I know this is just my opinion and my taste. I'll be happy to never hear or perform it again - but that doesn't mean other people can't enjoy it!

[@alecgallagher9196]

Disjointed? Surely not! Paul Hindmarsh's analysis of the work gives insight into the music and is worth (re)reading. www.4barsrest.com/articles/2009/art967.asp

[@explodingsausage6576]

Ah yes, the internationally renowned composer Pete Denton has offered his critique.

[@petedenton9434]

@@explodingsausage6576 - you don't need to be a composer to apply informed analytical skills to a score. The vast majority of internationally renowned conductors are not known for their composition skills... I worked as a conductor helping a band to prepare for a contest performance of this piece and as a result, spent several months studying it. I think that is a fair basis for offering a critique. You don't have to agree with my opinion but that's no reason to dismiss it just because my musical skills are not focused on composition...

[@explodingsausage6576]

@petedenton9434 You're a lower section band conductor and an average tubist with an inflated ego. You are not a music scholar. Stop trying to pass yourself as one.

[@ptangptang6515]

I think this is fair criticism. It's a piece with great moments, but lacking in cohesive connective tissue. That's always going to be a risk when you try to squeeze five contrasting movements into less than 15 minutes. So, it may be best just to enjoy it for the passing moments, and remember William Walton's advice to young composers: "never write early works". ;)