Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis combines the simple, elegant thematic material of the Elizabethan church composer Tallis, expanded and modernized through the luxurious harmonies of Ralph Vaughan Williams. A setting for band has been long overdue, and the original work for string orchestra has been masterfully transformed into a magnificent setting for winds. (Source: J.W. Pepper)

A Moorside Suite

A Moorside Suite is a masterpiece of Gustav Holst’s maturity. Written in 1928, six years before his death, it achieves a synthesis of his creative talent as a composer with the strong folk-song influences of 20 years earlier. The title of the work alludes to a country setting but does not describe an exact location, and this is mirrored in the musical material. The folk-song influence is apparent but not overt. The work was originally for brass band, commissioned for the National Brass Band Championships held at the Crystal Palace, London, England. Denis Wright was a musical scholar, and the transcription was carried out either during Holst's lifetime or shortly after his death in 1934. The score was not published until 1983, and has been re-edited by Geoffrey Brand. Interestingly, Holst himself always intended the work to be transcribed for “Military Band” and a first movement and some bars of the second movement exist in manuscript in the British Library. (Source: Publisher)

Celebrating Ralph Vaughan Williams

2022 Fall Concert Poster

The Concord Band opens its 2022–2023 season with a concert themed RVW150 in honor of the 150th birthday of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The concert will be held at 8:00 pm Saturday October 22, 2022 at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord, presented by Music Director James O’Dell and guest conductors from within the Concord Band.

Ralph Vaughan Williams, an influential English composer, wrote seminal works for twentieth-century concert band. Throughout his career Vaughan Williams drew inspiration from English folk tunes and hymn songs.

A highlight of the program will be Vaughan Williams’ English Folksong Suite led by Assistant Conductor Steven Barbas. This piece is considered to be the first composition written expressly for military band (the English term for a band including woodwinds as well as brass), which has become a staple of the concert band literature. Trumpeter and music educator Cindy Blanchard will appear as Guest Conductor to perform the beautiful Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, originally written for orchestra and arranged for band by Jay Bocook. The CB Saxophone Quartet will play Vaughan Williams’ Rhosymedre, a prelude based on the Welsh hymn tune by J. D. Edwards. The Quartet will also play "Minuet" from Le Tombeau de Couperin Suite by Maurice Ravel, with whom Vaughan Williams studied in Paris.

Composer Gustav Holst was a lifelong friend of Vaughan Williams since the age of 21. They traveled the English countryside on walking treks, conducted a concert together, and Holst dedicated one of his pieces to Vaughan Williams. Both composers incorporated folk songs into their music. The program features two selections by Holst. His Moorside Suite was originally written for brass band and is arranged for concert band by Denis Wright. Holst’s Fugue a La Gigue was a brass band transcription of Bach’s Fugue in G Major for organ, later arranged for concert band by Michael Brand. Two American composers who pay homage to Vaughan Williams will round out the program with Greensleeves: a Symphonic Setting by Claude T. Smith, and the Lords of Greenwich by Robert Shelton.

Join the Concord Band to celebrate Vaughan Williams’ birthday and enjoy music evocative of the English countryside which inspired these composers. The concert is free with a suggested donation of $10 per person. If you cannot attend in person, the concert will be live streamed, and online donations are gratefully appreciated. Take advantage of this opportunity to hear live music again!