On a visit to Bordeaux in 1981 with a London EarlyMusic group called Symphoniae Sacrae, I was taken bythe director of the festival to visit the Citadelle at Blaye.The intricate 17th-century stone fortifications form amagnificent presence guarding the Gironde estuaryand I responded positively when asked if the fortress— now a UNESCO World Heritage site — mightinspire me to write a piece for brass. Plans were dulymade for a concert at the Citadelle the following year,featuring an antiphonal brass group and percussion.When the time came, a hand-picked group of London-based brass virtuosi, led by Crispian Steele-Perkins,joined forces with Les Cuivres d’Aquitaine, a finegroup of players from the Bordeaux and Marseillesareas, to play my new piece, alongside works byCopland, Gabrieli and Purcell.The show would have raised the roof, if there’d beenone to raise, and a successful tour followed,memorable for the music, the performances and thewarm spirit of Anglo-French camaraderie.
- ISMN: 9790708167099 (M708167099)
