Richard Lambert (b. 1951)
Music for Brass and Organ
Philip Rushforth (organ), Robert Marsh (organ)
Chester Concordia Brass Ensemble/Richard Lambert
rec. 2022, Chester Cathedral, Chester, UK
First recordings
Toccata Classics TOCC0718 [74]
This is the third disc of Richard Lambert’s music; there were recordings of his choral works (Toccata TOCC0713) and his chamber and piano works (Quartz QTZ2142). This programme comprises music for brass and organ, the former befitting the son and grandson of bandmasters. He thinks of himself as a composer for the community. Many pieces here are for specific friends or occasions, although he has also written more formal concert works. His output shows excellent workmanship, an original imagination, and a somewhat satirical sense of humor.
Lambert played several instruments in his youth, including the cornet and the trumpet. Now he confines his efforts mostly to the organ. Two volumes of his Music for Organ comprise ‘thirteen independent numbers intended for weddings, funerals, or general church services’, according to the booklet. (There is a recently completed third volume.) There is the imaginative March in F in Volume 2, and the heart-felt Elegy. The Caledonian March shows Lambert’s satirical side, and the Pastorale in F cleverly deploys baroque procedures. Volume 1 includes the fascinating Intrada, the inventive In Memoriam, the attractive Intermezzo and the slightly irreverent Recessional March in G.
On to the music for brass. The Little Suite No. 2 cleverly evokes the tuckets and other musical flourishes required in Shakespeare’s plays. The even finer Little Suite No. 3 pays tribute to illustrious forebears, especially John Ireland and Malcolm Arnold. Somewhat less interesting is …the festal trumpet sounds, a collection of pieces for trumpet and organ, but the opening Voluntary in B flat, worthy of its name, features tremendous playing by trumpeter John Jermy.
The two works for brass ensemble make the strongest impression. The Partita for brass quintet is ‘a divertimento-like compilation of earlier material for alternatively scored forces, recomposed idiomatically for standard quintet formation’. Two reworkings of choral pieces appeared on the earlier Toccata disc. The other four works are here, again with Shakespearean stage directions as influence. The Proclamation strikes the right opening tone. The Sennet and Tucket Antiphon and the Clarion Call demonstrate Lambert’s skill in interweaving instrumental voices, and the knowledge of brass tones.
Lambert wrote the other ensemble piece, …mov’d with concord of sweet sounds, for a sixtieth wedding anniversary, but it works fine as abstract music. Its interplay of motifs and rhythms, tightly organized, is praiseworthy. What stands out is Lambert’s mellifluous writing for the ensemble – three trumpets, horn, three trombones.
The performances and the recording are first-rate. Philip Rushforth has had a long career as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chester Cathedral (review). He handles Volume 2 of Music for Organ with aplomb. Robert Marsh in Volume 1 is not far behind. Richard Lambert commands his brass players with ease. Besides John Jermy, special mention must be made of trumpeter Jim Bulger and tubist Conall Gormsley. These are excellent performances of some fine music.
William Kreindler
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Contents
Partita for brass quintet (2015)
Music for Organ, Volume 2 (2008-2017)
…the festal trumpet sounds for trumpet and organ (1974, 2009)
Little Suite No. 2 for two trumpets (2016)
Gloria, laus et honor: Toccata for organ (2015)
Little Suite No. 3 for three trumpets (2016)
Music for Organ, Volume 1 (2008-2015)
…mov’d with concord of sweet sounds for brass septet (2011)
