Angel Voices - Rhapsody for Soprano Cornet (Brian Bowen) Gordon Ward with New York Staff Band

This solo for soprano cornet and brass band was written by the late Brian Bowen for the New York Staff Band in 1989 when Gordon Ward was its very fine soprano cornetist. The title comes from a song by Ernest Rance (music) and Reginald Woods (lyrics) published by The Salvation Army in 1955. In this rhapsody Rance’s melody is first alluded to by the horns at the pick-up to bars 19-21, then more fully with the soloist’s entry to bar 51 (but in minor mode until bar 55). Much of the original music is ethereal in nature, maybe reflecting the angelic hosts.

Published by BrookWright Music in 2023, the score now carries the inscription ‘To the memory of Linda Ward’ - Gordon Ward’s wife who very sadly died in November 2021. The first commercial recording of the rhapsody was released in 1990, performed by Gordon Ward and the NYSB on its Music Makers CD (TRCD 1049).

PDFs available from www.brookwrightmusic.com

Sheet music available from:
UK - www.brassband.co.uk
USA - www.solidbrassmusic.com