Diversions after Henry Purcell
Composed for Robert Childs and the Foden's Band, this work sets out, in sentiment, to imitate Benjamin Britten's, The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. The music takes inspiration from the life and works of Henry Purcell - a composer synonymous with brass through his compositions for the court. It features every section of the brass band in a variety of styles, in anticipation of a triumphant Fugue.
I - Pride & Prejudice: In much the same way as Britten's ‘Young Person's Guide' the work begins with Purcell's famous Rondeau, music used in several period screen settings, including the adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, Pride & Prejudice.
II - Devil's Acre refers to Purcell's birthplace, Westminster and showcases devilish technique from the cornet section.
III - The Royal Organist features the horn section, and whilst the music takes its inspiration from Purcell's Te Deum, its title comes from a painting at Westminster Abbey, where Purcell himself was organist for many years.
IV - "Full Fathom Five" features the virtuosity and range of the euphonium and baritone section and takes its title from music Purcell wrote for Shakespeare's play, The Tempest. It is a catchphrase deriving from a verse passage, beginning with those words, during a storm and shipwreck, where the water is about 30 feet (five fathoms) deep.
V - Remember Me is the subtitle of Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas - Purcell's first opera. Here the trombones and basses remember Purcell, who passed away at the young age of 36.
VI - That Blessed Place is reflective and takes its title from Purcell's epitaph at Westminster, which reads: "Here lies Henry Purcell Esq., who left this life and is gone to that Blessed Place where only His harmony can be exceeded."
VII - Celebration takes the form of a Fugue and eventually brings the music to a close in much the same way as it started, with a grand reprise of Purcell's famous Rondeau.