The New York Staff Band's latest release gets underway in some style in Dorothy Gates' All Glorious, a development of the hymn tune, Hanover, in which the band immediately demonstrates fine balance and quality ensemble playing, with particularly rich middle band sounds.

The title track, Glorifico Aeternum, which follows is a three-part collage by Dean Jones, initially based on the hymn, Now Thank We All Our God and is a work that has recently been heard regularly outside Salvationist circles. Once again the band gives a fine display, which is followed by Terry Camsey's solo, The Victor, admirably performed by principal cornetist, Gordon Ward.

Following an accomplished performance of Eric Ball's early classic, The Triumph of Peace, we hear an interesting contrast in the styles of Dorothy Gates' music. Her choral setting of Peace, by Andreas Sandlund, provides a brief period of reflection before the lively festival march, Agape. Both pieces are treated to stylish performances, as is From That Sacred Hill, which features a finely controlled and balanced trombone section.

Aaron VanderWeele is the euphonium soloist in You Raise Me Up, which receives a most sympathetic performance, which is followed by the highlight of the disc, Victorian Snapshots - On Ratcliff Highway, by Ray Steadman-Allen, who is proclaimed in the programme notes as 'the SA's most prolific and talented composer of the 20th century', which is a fairly bold statement, especially when the likes of Eric Ball and Wilfred Heaton are taken into consideration. It is a fabulously descriptive piece, though, and the raucous finale is given a most dynamic treatment by this fine band.

A selection of Scandinavian pieces, the popular marches, Valdres, Lift Up The Banner and Under the Blue and Yellow flag are all performed in characteristic style before the programme concludes with a new setting of The Star-Spangled Banner, by the film composer, John Williams and arranged by Stephen Bulla.

This is a well-produced recording by one of the finest Salvation Army bands in the world, which provides the listener with an interesting and varied selection of music from around the globe.

Kenneth Crookston
British Bandsman - Saturday 30th April 2005