Brass Band Recordings of the Year

British Bandsman CD of the Year is A Golden Year played by Black Dyke Band. Released early in 2006, A Golden Year is a record of some of the major works performed by the band in concert and in competition during 2005, its 150th anniversary year, and includes its winning performance, at the British Open Championship, of Bram Tovey’s A Night to Sing.

British Bandsman CD of the Year is Euphonium Virtuoso played by the much travelled Steven Mead accompanied by Brass Band Buizingen. Steven is a real global ambassador for the euphonium and this year has taken the instrument into even more uncharted waters having played solo at the Milan Fashion Show in September!

Brass Band World CD of the Year is The Heaton Collection Volume 4 on the SP&S label and played by Black Dyke Band. This, of course, is not the first time that a CD in The Heaton Collection has carried off a major award. The first release in the series (now known as Volumes 1 & 2) was named CD of the Year back in 2002 by British Bandsman. Volume 4 represents the final release in the series and completes the project of recording all th e brass band works of Wilfred Heaton.

In an unusual move, Brass Band World Solo CD of the Year is Caprice by the stunning young trumpeter Alison Balsom. Although Ms Balsom plays the trumpet on this CD and is accompanied by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra she first learned to play a brass instrument in Royston Town Band and still maintains contact with the band, popping in for a ‘blow’ from time to time!

Written by Ian McKenzie on December 15th, 2006 with no comments.
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