by Denis Wick
Album Title: British Classics
Recording: Saxon Wind Philharmonic
Conductor: Thomas Clamor
Soloist: Andrew Martin Hofmeir, Tuba
Publisher: GENUIN: Gen20658
If you’re not familiar with the Saxon Wind Philharmonic you are in for a treat. The program begins with the Earle of Oxford’s Marche by William Byrd in the spectacular setting of Elgar Howarth (most people are familiar with the Gordon Jacob setting). Two suites transcribed by Thomas Scheibe are next: Music for the Royal Fireworks (George Frideric Handel) and The Fairy Queen (Henry Purcell). The First Suite in E-flat of Gustav Holst follows and then comes the Ralph Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra transcribed by Denis Wick. The tuba mastery of Andrew Martin Hofmeir absolutely glistens here. Two works of Edward Elgar bring the program to a close: Nimrod from Enigma Variations (arranged by Alfred Reed) and Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 (set by Gerhard Baumann). Another unmatched offering by the Saxon Wind Philharmonic.
