The Complete Champions - Black Dyke Mills Band
                      Composer：Wilfred Heaton (Composer)
                                    George Lloyd
                                    John McCabe
                                    Gilbert Vinter
                      Conductor：Peter Parkes
                      Orchestra: Black Dyke Mills Band
                      Label:  Chandos
                      Catalog #: 4509
                      Spars Code: DDD 

      This is a great CD if you want a good dose of high-end Brass Band music and playing.

      "Contest Music" by Heaton is a work originally rejected for use at the National Brass Band Championships in 1973 as it was too far ahead of its time. It was used some years later and has become an iconic piece of brass band writing. This is music written for a top level contest which is highly musical rather than a technical excercise (although it is a technically difficult piece!). Incredible playing of this piece by a band on top form.

      "Royal Parks" - George Lloyd. Very tuneful and some great sounds. The trade mark "Black Dyke Sound" really shows in the second movement - listen for the pedal notes of BBb Bass legend Derek Jackson.

      "Salute to Youth" like "Contest Music" is another Brass Band classic, but more in the traditional style of writing for Brass Band. Stunning melodic and technical playing from the band - the second movement is the place to go if you want an example of a massive Brass Band sound which is completely under control, melodic and tuneful all at once.

      "Cloudcatcher Fells" - The test piece for the 1985 finals of the National Brass Band Championships and what a gift John McCabe ge the Brass Band movement with this piece. It is a great exploration of the tones and colours that can be achieved with a Brass Band and those more familiar with the Lake District will he to decide how descriptive the piece is.

                                    Wilfred Heaton - Contest Music
                                    track 01    I Allegro
                                    track 02    II Molto adagio
                                    track 03    III Vivo

                                    George Lloyd - Royal Parks
                                    track 04    I Dawn Flight
                                    track 05    II In Memoriam
                                    track 06    III Holidays

                                    Gilbert Vinter - Salute to Youth
                                    track 07    I Resilience
                                    track 08    II Romance
                                    track 09    III Relaxation
                                   
                                    track 10    John McCabe - Cloudcatcher Fells