‘Within Blue Empires’
The idea for the piece came from an impromptu sound effect during a rehearsal with Coalburn Silver Band. The noise emulated the sound of a whale blowing through its spout.
It instantly brought back vivid and exhilarating memories of whale watching in Canada and thought it had the potential to be set to music.
When I heard the piece the Band was playing in the championship last year it was clear that Paul Lovatt–Cooper should be asked to write the piece. Dark Side of the Moon is an emotive piece and demonstrated brilliant skill in being able to portray an atmospheric scene.
I met with Paul and commissioned him with a brief I had written comprising a number of scenes. These included – the relationship between the mother and a new born calf, a feeding frenzy, the breach and the deep.. Paul was immediately struck with the prospect of setting these scenes to music.
I wanted the piece to be an innovative composition and explore the realms of brass band music.
The result is a truly magical piece of music that fully captures the scale, power, grace and tenderness of the largest mammal on earth and the world it inhabits. It has been a wonderful experience and a privilege to work with such a brilliantly talented and gifted young composer and witness how the music to portray a story has been ‘designed and crafted’ into the piece it has become.
The icing on the cake came when Paul confirmed that the piece had been selected as the test piece for the English National Championships to be staged in Preston this summer. The competition features the top 15 bands in England competing for a place in the European Championships for 2010.
Having been introduced to Coalburn Silver Band through my son Colin
who plays bass trombone the piece is dedicated to all associated with the Band in admiration of their dedication and effort in striving for success.
I am looking forward to listening to these top bands perform the piece and make an exciting return to my home town
Graham Taylor