Stonehouse - courtesy of Stroud Valley Music Club

In deepest Gloucestershire, amid the Cotswolds, saw a major event - the inaugural meeting of the new West Region.

A capacity attendance of seventy-two, from Societies across the West, Kempsey in the north, Warminster in the south, Cirencester eastward and Cardiff westward, enjoyed three, very varying and contrasting, presentations. Several FRMS Officers and Committee members were present.

The initial presentation was given by the joint-foun der of the West Region, and FRMS Committee Member, Roger Apps.
Roger drew on music composed during the last sixty years, choosing pieces from each decade of his life - the presentation was entitled All in a lifetime …so far.

Roger related how as a twenty-one year old, in 1968, he had joined Maidstone Gramophone Society and was so impressed that he started one of his own next year in his, then, home town of Tenterden in south Kent. In 1976 he gave his initial programme, of similar title, at Maidstone, but included music from abroad.

This time, however, all the music was British commencing with two movements from Grace Williams's Penillion - this rousing Welsh music is quite nationalistic, but of universal appeal.
To follow a rarely heard excerpt from Malcolm Arnold's neglected Viola Concerto played by Rivka Golani. The andante is poignant in that peculiar Arnold style - a sad melody interspersed by angular chords - bittersweet indeed !

Another lady composer followed this - Doreen Carwithen, former Secretary, then subsequently, wife of William Alwyn. Doreen and William lived in Suffolk and her Suffolk Suite evokes the area - the second movement, Orford Ness, gently portrays yachts at anchor - tranquil and serene. Superb scoring from this virtually unknown composer.

Next a 1990's piece from Steve Martland - Danceworks. The third movement - this played by the composer and his band. Influences from the minimalists and Stravinsky were revealed.

To represent Scotland, Roger chose From Ayrshire for Violin and Orchestra by James MacMillan composed for Nicola Benedetti - in two short movements, the second being a reel. This was a 2005 commission.

Roger related how the BBC, under William Glock, promoted musique concrete of the 1950's and 60s - the likes of Boulez and Stockhausen - but that, in his opinion, other melodic works composed during these years were little heard. William Lloyd-Webber's Invocation was the example of a ' three minute wonder ' - and informed the members that Andrew L-W, had certainly inherited genetically his father's melodic gift !

To follow an excerpt from Gavin Bryars's haunting Cello Concerto - Farewell to Philosophy - dreamily played by the other Lloyd-Webber, Julian.
Roger ended his presentation with a Dave Heath early work from the late 1980s - The Frontier - rhythmically alive, a la Stravinsky, with a haunting middle section.

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The second presentation of the day was given by Malcolm Lewis, joint founder of the West Region and Cirencester RMS member.

In a wide-ranging, penetrating, and humorous survey of Sir Arthur Sullivan's music and life - before, and without, Gilbert, Malcolm started with the Lambeth Walk ! ( and it was noted that several members were animated once this was underway ! ). As Malcolm explained, Sullivan was born in Lambeth.

Later, Sullivan trained in Leipzig and won the Mendelssohn Prize. An excerpt from The Tempest of 1861 was used to illustrate his achievement. In the 1860s it was customary for a ballet to precede the opera and Malcolm then played the Dance of Nymphs and Satyrs from the I'lle Enchantee.

This was followed by an excerpt from the Irish Symphony - reminiscent of Dvorak in its rhythmic drive. An excerpt from the long-lost Cello Concerto as reconstructed by Mackerras led next, to his first foray into operetta, Cox and Box of 1867. Then a performance of the complete Overture Di Ballo - again typical Sullivan, at once recognisable - this was written in 1870. Onward ! Christian Soldiers was played as an example of his hymn writing and as Malcolm explained his song - The Lost Chord was written as a tribute to Sullivan's brother, Fred.
Two later works completed the survey, The Bridal March from The Rose of Persia and an snippet from the Te Deum, ( which quotes, one believes, the Dresden Amen ) of 1900 - composed in the year of his death, 1900.

The members of the Stroud Valley Music Club had worked tirelessly to provide a trouble-free day and their team of helpers provided a splendid lunch. Thanks are due to Chairman, Robert Crockford and to Jenny Buckland for their seamless teamwork.

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The afternoon session was given by guest presenters, and long time supporters of the FRMS, Adrian Farmer and Antony Smith from Wyastone / Nimbus.

They entertained us in various guises - with much mirth. A review of the history of recorded formats - from 78s through to CD and beyond, ( with many technical explanations ) . Also, an appraisal of the current situation with regard to recording companies and that ' dying breed ', the record shop.

Their initial piece was the familiar Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream incidental music in a unique Nimbus recording which includes actors relaying the Shakespeare text - this was fascinating - the interplay between singers, actors and the instrumentalists perfectly balanced in a single microphone recording.

Next a recording by their artist, pianist Vladimir Feltsman - first a wonderful
' Russian piano performing style ' disc of Rachmaninov Preludes and then mention of Feltsman's early recording of the Rachmaninov Third Piano Concerto conducted by Mikhail Pletnev - an early recording of a Moscow performance from 1992 - given in memory of their piano teacher, Jacob Flier ( 1912 -1977 ).

A cello sonata by the ' unknown ' composer, Simon Laks, was the next piece - very Ravel like, ( e.g. Violin Sonata, jazzy style ), superbly played by Rafael Wallfisch and John York.
Moving on to another aspect of Wyastone's diversity we heard a short piece of cantor music from a Ukrainian cantor with a range going upwards into falsetto - with extraordinary ability. Another aspect was their Jazz, final item, Benny Goodman's version of After you've Gone!

There was much enjoyment from those present and many compliments on this Music Day - it augurs well for the future -hopefully next event Spring 2012 in Salisbury.