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The St Agnes and St Dennis Bands are
combining to take part in a unique performance, with The St Endellion
Festival Orchestra, of Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Four Cornish Dances in Truro
Cathedral on 5th August. The Concert is part of the 50th
St Endellion Festival which will be conducted by the internationally
known Conductor, Richard Hickox CBE, Director of the Festival for many
years. This year the Festival consists of an all British programme and
having read, in his biography, of a special arrangement that Malcolm
Arnold, then living in Cornwall, had made of his Four Cornish Dances for
Orchestra and Brass Bands he decided to revive it, if possible. Malcolm
Arnold made the arrangement for a Concert he had organized in Truro
Cathedral on 16th March 1968 to mark the 60th Anniversary of
the death of the Cornish composer, Thomas Merritt, famous for his
carols.
The two bands that took part in that
performance were St Agnes and St Dennis and after some delving into
their libraries it transpired that both Bands still had the original
hand written parts and score, making them the ideal choice to join in
again, for what is only the second performance of this arrangement.
Several of the present members of both Bands played in the original
performance, including the present Musical Director of St Dennis, Brian
Minear. The performance also marks Richard Hickox’s first involvement
with brass bands, and following a rehearsal with the Bands he said how
impressed he was with the sound, which made the hairs at the back of his
neck stand on end.
Tickets for the Concert are available from
The Hall for Cornwall Box Office on 01752 262466. |