Postcards from Grimethorpe

by Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Jack Stamp, Ben Palmer

Overview

The age-old tradition of British community band music rolls on, and in the hands of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band (and quite a few other groups), it may even be that the medium has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. That could be due to the way many bands have expanded their repertories, but few have gone as far as the Grimethorpe Colliery Band does here. All the music here is contemporary and was written for the ensemble, and quite a bit of it is modern in style. Harrison Birtwistle may be the last composer one would expect to encounter on a band album, but his Grimethorpe Aria, taken from a live performance, both is adventurous and exploits the band medium beautifully. The latter is really the important thing; the composers, who are largely unknown outside of Britain, write quite creatively for band. Hear the brass shadings of Liz Lane's Beyond the Light, for example, or the shimmering effect in Michael Halstenson's Winter's Moon. Lane is a composer-in-residence with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and is represented by a pair of short pieces; the same is true of composer Jack Stamp, who conceived of this project. The idea was an inspired one, and this is a fine outing from a group that has advanced the band genre substantially. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	09/15/2023
Label:	TOCCATA
UPC:	5060640070301

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Grimethorpe Colliery Band   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Jack Stamp   Primary Artist,Conductor
Ben Palmer   Primary Artist,Conductor

Technical Credits

Jack Stamp   Editing,Composer,Liner Notes
Ben Gaunt   Liner Notes,Composer
Liz Lane   Composer,Liner Notes
Michael Halstenson   Liner Notes,Composer
Leann Stein   Assistant Producer
Benjamen Blasko   Assistant Producer,Mastering,Engineer,Editing,Mixing
David M. Baker   Cover Design
Robert Bernat   Composer
David Hackbridge Johnson   Liner Notes,Composer
Edward Gregson   Liner Notes,Composer
Harrison Birtwistle   Composer
Paul Murrell   Recording Producer
Elgar Howarth   Liner Notes
Martin Anderson   Executive Producer