Bliss: Works for Brass Band review – a breath of fresh air

An album devoted to brass band music is rare on a classical label. When the conductor is John Wilson, steeped in this tradition, and the band one of the world’s best, it is worth noticing. Arthur Bliss (1891-1975), eclipsed since his death – though Wilson has been a champion – was a director of music for the BBC, helping pave the way for what would become Radio 3. He was also master of the Queen’s music, taking on the title in the coronation year (1953). Starting out as a modernist, he was seen as a traditionalist by the end of his career, writing ballets and film scores as well as concert works.

Most of the tracks here, among them four premiere recordings, are in arrangements for brass band. Yorkshire’s Black Dyke Band brings these works to spirited life: from music for Alexander Korda’s 1936 film Things to Come and the ballet Checkmate to The Belmont Variations , written in 1963 for the National Brass Band Championships. The playing is authoritative, atmospheric and virtuosic. That Bliss is still out of fashion remains a mystery. This wonderful album may help restore his reputation.