Sunday Bandstand 22 September 2019

Sunday Bandstand 22 September 2019

Arthur Wood (24 January 1875–18 January 1953) was an English composer and conductor, particularly famous for "Barwick Green", the signature theme for the BBC Radio 4 series The Archers.

Wood was born in Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, the son of a tailor. His father was a violinist in a local amateur orchestra and as a boy, Wood began to learn the violin, the flute and piccolo.

After his family moved to Harrogate in 1882, he was given flute lessons from Arthur Brookes, a member of a local spa orchestra. He left school at the age of twelve and two years later became organist of St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Harrogate. By age sixteen he had become the lead flautist, pianist and deputy conductor of the Harrogate Municipal Orchestra. Later he moved onto the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra.

In 1903, at the age of twenty-eight, he progressed to become the director of music at Terry's Theatre, London. Wood conducted London theatre orchestras for over three decades, including the Apollo Theatre, the Shaftesbury Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He died in London on 18 January 1953.

He was the father of Peggy Ann Wood, an actor, director and theatre manager based in Bristol.

Wood was a prolific composer of works in a variety of categories, although he was self-taught in composition and orchestration. His first published work, the orchestral work Three Old Dances, was first published in 1902.

After this he became a staff composer for Boosey & Hawkes, for whom he wrote many orchestral suites and single works, many related to his upbringing. These include Three Dale Dances, the Yorkshire Moors SuiteA Lancashire Clog Dance and My Native Heath, from which his most famous piece "Barwick Green" came. Other orchestral works include his Concertino in A majorWidow MaloneAn Oriental Scene and Fairy Dreams.

He also composed a number of stage musicals, such as YvonnePetticoat Fair, and Fancy Fair, the latter two dating from about 1918.

Apart from "Barwick Green", his works are now rarely performed.

We are featuring The Arcadians Overture on this week's show.

Enjoy

Playlist 22 September 2019 

Recording Details 

Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke   Opening for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010  'Patrons' Choice III' - CD - Egon CD-SFZ154 - 2010
Our Flirtation March - J.P.Sousa  Leyland Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2001  'East Coast Pictures' - CD - ISBN0-571-52109-6 - 2001
Terra Australis - Martin Ellerby Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: Professor David King - 2010  'Highlights from the 2010 National Brass Band Championships' - CD - DOY CD279 - 2010
Armenian Fire Dance - Goff Richards Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: David Hirst - 2004  'Brighouse and Rastrick Band on a World Tour' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD895 - 2004
Compelled by Love - Andrew Blyth Euphonium Soloist Keith Loxley with the Household Troops Band BM: Major John Mott - 2006  'Heroes' - CD - SP&S CD211 - 2006 
Quest i. Making a Difference  ii. Making Time  iii. Making Progress - Paul Sharman International Staff Band BM: Dr. Stephen Cobb - 2013   'Quest' - CD - SP&S CD330 - 2013
Slovenian Spring - Alan Fernie Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: David Hirst - 2004  'Brighouse and Rastrick Band on a World Tour' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD895 - 2004
Fantasies for Band iii) Veni, Creator Spiritus - David Morgan  The Staffordshire Band MD: David Maplestone - 2002  'Something 2 Celebrate' - CD - Harlequin Recording HAR 0103 CD - 2002
Brass Code  - Thierry  Deleruyelle European Youth Brass Band MD: Erik Janssen  - 2016  'Highlights from European Brass Band Championships 2016'  - DOY362 - 2016
Ruler of the Spirits - Carl Maria von Weber arr: William Halliwell Black Dyke Mills Band MD: Major Peter Parkes - 1987  'Black Dyke Mills Celebration' - CD - Chandos Recording - 1987
Daydream - Frode Thingnaers Euphonium Soloist Tormod Flaten with the Bergen Symphonic Band MD: Martin Winter - 2005  'Norwegian Euphonium Tormod Flaten' 
Masque - Kenneth Hesketh Leyland Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2001  'East Coast Pictures' - CD - ISBN0-571-52109-6 - 2001
Variations on a Latin Theme - Alan Fernie  Euphonium Soloist David Childs with the Cory Band MD: Robert Childs - 2002  'The Glory of Cory' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD 882  - 2002
On the Waterfront - Andante – Presto Barbaro – Andante Largamento - Leonard Bernstein arr: Mark Freeh Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Switzerland) MD: Ludwig Wicki - 2003  'American Classics' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD896 - 2003
Out of Africa - the main theme - John Barry arr. Alan Fernie Black Dyke Band MD: Nicholas Childs -2003  'Great Cinema Hits' - CD - Obrasso Recording  CD960 - 2003
Barcelona - Mike Moran and Freddie Mercury  Grimethorpe Colliery Band MD: Garry Cutt - 1993  'World Hits - CD - Obrasso Recording CD838 - 1993
The Arcadians Overture - Monckton and Talbot arr: Arthur Wood Stalybridge Old Band MD: Jim Cant - 2000  'Tipperary' - CD - Amadeus  CD038 - 2000
Meditation from Thais - Jules Massenet  Cornet Soloist Florian Klingler with the Brass Band Froschl Hall MD: Hannes Buchegger - 2012  'First Class Brass' - CD - 2012
The Boys in Blue - Bob Barratt Williams Fairey Engineering Band MD: Major Peter Parkes - 1990   'Procession to the Minster'  - CD - Grasmere Recording GRCD-42 - 1990
Invictus March - William Himes Delta Brass Zeeland (The Netherlands) MD: Luc Vertommen - 2008  'Prelude for a Hero' - CD - Mirasound Amersfort STEMRA 887722-2 - 2008
Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke   Closing for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010  'Patrons' Choice III' - CD - Egon CD-SFZ154 - 2010

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