by Percy Grainger
Album Title: PERCY GRAINGER: COMPLETE WORKS FOR WIND BAND VOLUME 1
Recording: Royal Norwegian Navy Band
Conductor: Bjarte Engeset
Soloists: Marius Roth Christensen -tenor
Lt. Cdr. Bjorn Bogetvedt-euphonium
Publisher: NAXOS 8.573679 Purchase
The world keeps trying to build a better mousetrap but band enthusiasts are still trying to build a better Grainger. Many band arrangers seek to capture the essence of Percy Grainger; especially with his usage of “tuneful” percussion and keyboards. This collection is a fine mixture of Grainger’s genius; whether it be skillful arrangements made by others, Grainger’s own masterful transcriptions (Chosen Gems for Winds) or original works. New to most listeners would be Bell Piece (based on a John Dowland song), the Six-part Fantasy and Air No. 1 (William Lawes), Down Longford Way (Katharine Parker) and Ballade Op. 38 No.1-Folk tune (Eugene Goossens). While listening to this recording one will marvel at the incredible sonority of the Royal Norwegian Band. No instrumental detail is ignored, whether it is the bass woodwinds, mallet percussion, Swiss hand bells. Hammond organ, etc. An absolute treasure for all to enjoy.
