"Journey into Freedom" - Eric Ball (Black Dyke Mills Band, Major Peter Parkes, conductor).

[@wappleton36190]

Doesn't Matter what year it was, this performance would have won them all, a masterclass in brass playing by arguably the greatest band of any era. simply awesome &, to think this was a live performance, incredible musicality, technically brilliant & the last 2 mins showed incredible power & control by what where in fact amateur musicians' all of whom had probably done a hard days work before this performance. Just turn up the volume & imagine what it was like in the hall that night.

[@edwardbrown3308]

NO MORE NEED BE SAID !!

[@Me-wk7dz]

Amazing, I really admire this performance

[@BuzzVenturion]

Played this piece just this year 2013! Never gets old, still filled with the usual challenges, and yet it is melodically substantial, not just a bunch of "special-effects" technical hurdles. Love this stuff!

[@edwardbrown3308]

Last comment 8 years ago ! I still play this as my favourite in composition, performance and excellence !

[@paulroscorla3887]

Phillip McCann. I dearly love this test piece ;)

[@Subw00frr]

This is Jim shepherd

[@peterwhitehead2858]

@@Subw00frr nope. Its Phil on this recording.

[@Subw00frr]

@@peterwhitehead2858 how it says 1967 in the description?

[@peterwhitehead2858]

@@Subw00frr i will have to check that out and will edit the video as necessary. This performance was recorded live in Amsterdam c. 1984. Mr. Philip McCann on top man.

[@Subw00frr]

@@peterwhitehead2858 ahhh it’s in description I was gonna say. Amazing recording quality for 1967!

[@BoydPurser-t4t]

This was indeed the 1984 RHA live recording with Maj Peter Parkes at the helm - it was by far the best sound I have ever heard Dyke make - to set the scene - beaten by a masterful performance from Cory the day before with the other Maj. at the helm, Peter was intent on pulling a massive performance from Dyke and everything was turned up in intensity. The result is breathtaking and the last 60 seconds unforgettable to those that where there and heard that glorious shimmer, depth and wall to wall sound from the band.

[@LatenLong]

I was with Northop Silver back in the day (Juniors, around 1989 odd) - we got to the nationals in London and the seniors got there too playing this incredible score. We all cleaned up in LLandudno - and I mean EVERY trophy. Then, in London they came third with a performance that brought tears to my eyes - imagine how this made me feel! Propper onion chopping music, especially if you've played Soprano or rep! Love it. Can't even remember where we in the juniors came as I only recall this track! Powerfull sounds.

[@TheZacman2]

Very stimulating music. It really takes my mind on a journey.

[@utoobtime108]

Eric Ball program notes in 4 posts: "The idea behind the music, which is very hard to play, is this: We live in a very materialistic age and therefore the music is often ugly, almost discordant, fierce and harsh. It speaks to us of this violent, materialistic age.

[@pattomuso]

Played this with Hawthorn Band (AUS) to win the 1977 Nationals....nice piece.

[@FaithfulandTrue949]

Reminds me of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan with the ebbs and flows, danger and delight. Certainly a journey an' half! Great musical composition.

[@TheSproutarian]

Ransome51: you are right. This is the best version of this piece recorded. It was performed live at the British Bandsman Centenary Concert. The best version of Resurgam I ever heard was at the 1984 Nationals by the massed bands. That version made me cry. Never heard any performance near as good.

[@guidovanhaalen4432]

@TheSproutarian this is not "Resurgam"....... ♫♪ ☺

[@TheSproutarian]

@@guidovanhaalen4432 I see my mistake now. This is still the best version of Journey into Freedom, and the 1984 version of Resurgam is the best version l ever heard by massed bands/

[@guidovanhaalen4432]

@@TheSproutarian no probs; is it massed or is it the simultaneouslu concert with the ISB ? they sitting left ? ☺ ♫♪

[@ransome51]

i agree with your comments William-.a simply awesome performance!

[@guardsdepot]

Proper music.Music that can make you cry.......................

[@ianxharvey]

Eric Ball wrote some wonderful things but this must be right up there

[@Utoobtime27]

Eric rated it slightly behind RESURGAM followed closely by THE ETERNAL PRESENCE then JOURNEY INTO FREEDOM

[@ianxharvey]

Can't argue with that

[@marilynspencer9687]

Came 2nd that day with Mcr CWS--great day. Andy Spencer (Bamber)

[@TonyZilincik]

Absolutely great performance here, though!

[@utoobtime108]

Even that doesn’t work and back comes a hint of the sinister. Then, at last, the Love Theme comes back but this time transfigured, and the composer had in mind: O Love that formest me to wear, The image of Thy Godhead here, Who soughtest me with tender care, Through all my wanderings, dark and drear, O Love, I give myself to Thee, Thine ever, only Thine, to be. Then comes freedom. Then, comes freedom. Journey into Freedom.”

[@msav0007]

I think my brother, John Savage was playing 2nd man down at this Championships but i never heard a recording of it? Great to see comments from a Dobcrossdresser on here, home of banding in the nothwest, good on ya Chris Claydon.

[@gilliancooper7160]

Brilliant

[@TheRusty99]

utoobtime108 you are absolutely correct it is the 1984 recording from the European Championships at the RAH. The give away is the un mistakable tone of Phillip McCann on principal cornet and the musicality Peter Parkes brings to the performance. I used to have the LP and was there during the performance. Quite unforgettable and streets ahead of anyone else on the day, even Cory Band who had won the National Finals the day before.

[@alexanderblair9417]

I thought this recording was from 1986, the British Bandsman Centenary concert at the Free Trade Hall Manchester. 'We' didn't play this in '84 - the Euros were held in Edinburgh. Dyke won with Blitz as their own choice work.

[@tigerarmyrule]

I adore good brass band music.

[@Braytona]

I played with Dobcross band at the time this was recorded we played it at belle vue but could only dream of playing it like this

[@ajsutoob]

Mr P . I heard the same story but related to Resurgam - the same thing could easily have happened with both pieces!. I was fortunate to see and hear the ISB play this a couple of weeks ago and it was spine tingling performance.

[@christianbalmer1958]

5:20. Probably the most beautiful moment in brass band history

[@chrishowley7513]

+Christian Balmer for me the sunrise at 9.13

[@TheSproutarian]

All three mentioned are the best moments.

[@guidovanhaalen4432]

placed in history times maybe (it is not to compare with for example Cory's intro of Explorers, Brussels, or Dynasty's Harry's Tipparary War whistle........) ♫♪ ☺

[@utoobtime108]

And the seeker after freedom thinks he can find relief and freedom in human love - and you will hear solos for cornet, euphonium, trombone and Eb bass - all speaking of human love, the seeking of freedom and release in human love. But it doesn’t quite work out somehow or other. Then there is the journey into worldly delights - having a good time, the bright lights and all the rest of it - can we find freedom there? So you will hear a spectacular waltz.

[@alexanderblair9417]

A touch too fast at the opening,? The Major could get excited on live performances but still a great band performance with moments of beauty, you can never get bored of listening to Mr. McCann.

[@JeroenVethaak]

Magnificent!

[@grahamburton1228]

That’s is proper music great.

[@utoobtime108]

But before long a march strikes up. Some people are protesting, and rightly too, and you will have the protesters marching along, in a very disunified way. But, somehow or other, they get joined to other people, who are not quite so dignified. Other people jump onto the bandwagon. Sometimes the marches are very serious. Sometimes flambouyant. Sometimes not too serious at all. But they are marching, and marching against violence. But the march dies out and the violence returns.

[@basscymro]

I played this work with Cory many times, including 1967, when I played the Eb bass solo. Unlike others, I have never liked it. but that is just my opinion!

[@tigerarmyrule]

+Hugh Williams fascinating to read a comment by someone who played solo in one of the greatest bands in the world. What is your favourite Ball piece?

[@johnharris7901]

I value your opinion totally as you are a legend in the world of brass bands however this is spectacular playing from way back in the day and live

[@TonyZilincik]

I love the piece, but I still believe that "Undaunted" and "Resurgam" are his best works.

[@Utoobtime27]

Interestingly THE UNDAUNTED was Geoffrey Brand's favorite Ball piece

[@Geoff_Tuba_UK]

Resurgam touches the soul. Journey is, though, one of the finest band scored pieces of music, bar none.

[@kral301]

Eric Ball i beleve

[@tsjukemar]

10:09 ouch!

[@ransome51]

A bit out of tune isn't it 😉

[@tsjukemar]

@@ransome51 Yes, but overall, phenomenal performance.

[@svg98]

10:12 that tuning ruined it...

[@keiththomas795]

Note perfect as always with this band but all so rushed and lacking the beauty of the solo work, try the ISB.

[@ransome51]

That's a matter of opinion. This interpretation by the Major is the best I have ever heard. Not rushed at all