FANTASY - PHILIP COBB

FANTASY - PHILIP COBB

Fantasy - Philp Cobb 

With the Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Conducted by: Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs &

Squadron Leader Piers Morrell

Doyen: DOY366

   This is quite a stunning CD, not only through the brilliance of this fine soloist, but also the remarkable support of the Central R A F Band, the most notable effect of the Military Band are the exciting sounds and authentic colours displayed in the opening track Slavische Fantasie

   Philip himself is a most humble young man as he makes several references to many of our ‘great’ past cornetist, Maurice Murphy, James Shepherd, Wynton Marsalis et al.

   His versatility on Cornet, Trumpet and Flugel is outstanding and his technique is quite brilliant as demonstrated in The Debutante. The format of this program allows a little respite between dazzling displays and excitement to let us relax a little in his beautiful rendition of A Trumpeters Lullaby before we return to a brilliant performance of the Grand Russian Fantasia, which again is delivered in true Slavic sounds by the band.

   What Philip describes next as a ‘fun number’ he displays exactly in that style in Hora Staccato before we are treated to some really beautiful and warm melodic lines as he takes up the Flugel for A Spring Lullaby

   The next solo is an arrangement from Wynton’s Cornet Album and is a superb arrangement with brilliant playing of Napoli before we can sit back yet again and enjoy perfect phrasing and tone quality throughout the register in Rusalka’s Song to the Moon supported sympathetically by some lovely woodwind accompaniment in particular.

   Peter Graham, more noted for his test pieces wrote the next track and Philip gives a dazzling display totally befitting the title Whirlwind-  superb.

   We finally get to hear him on Trumpet as he performs Harry James’s  Concerto for Trumpet as a tribute to Maurice Murphy and Rod Franks, all previous Principal Trumpet of the L.S.O

   His remarkable versatility is demonstrated yet again as Philip takes up the Flugel and joins with his colleague playing vibraphone in this most beautiful and moving arrangement of Springtime can really hang you up most

   The final track is yet another ‘classic’ cornet solo and yet again delivered in a brilliant performance of The Bride of the Waves

   This CD has featured some fine arrangements together with some quite stunning and often very moving playing by Philip Cobb, all totally augmented by quality, controlled and sensitive support from an outstanding band in the Central Band of the RAF ----a superb CD fully recommended.

Tracks:

1.  Slavische Fantasie  - Hohne -  D. Marshall - 7.40

2.  The Debutante - Herbert Lincoln Clarke - 6.03

3.  Trumpeters Lullaby - Leroy Anderson Arr: Philip Lang - 3.07

4.  Grand Russian Fantasia - Jules Levy Arr: Hans Nel - 6.27

5.  Hora Staccato - Heifetz Arr: Martindale - 2.21

6.  A Spring Lullaby - Andrew Pearce - 5.39

7.  Napoli - Bellstedt Arr: Rodney Newton - 5.49

8.  Song to the Moon - Dvorak Arr: Rodney Newton - 5.46

9.  Whirlwind - Peter Graham - 2.21

10.Concerto for Trumpet - Harry James Arr: A.L. Phillips  - 3.39

11.Springtime can really hang you up - Wolf and Landersmann Arr: Martin Winter -   5.46

      Also featuring Sam Walton (Vibraphone)

12.Bride of the Waves - Herbert Lincoln Clarke - 5.45

J Stuart Fawcett 

 

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