The City of Birmingham Police Band
Conducted by Richard Wassell
(From Birmingham)

4.25 Band

4.45 Nora Desmond

Holst is one of the comparatively few modern English composers who have shown a real interest in the value of Military Band music, by composing specially for that eminently popular medium. And that he knows very well how to exploit the various tone qualities, and to give them music which suits them, is by now well known, almost wherever Military Bands play.

This first Suite for Military Band is in three movements. The first is a Chaconne, a modern treatment of an old form in which the music is built up of one phrase repeated over and over, generally in the bass, although occasionally in other parts, and with constantly varied treatment and interest. The second is a melodious and graceful intermezzo, and the third is a lively and vigorous March with a thoroughly popular march tune.

5.15-5.30 Leslie Heward