Nigel Clarke: Mysteries of the Horizon

Featuring

David Thornton
Nigel Clarke
Harmen Vanhoorne
Sandy Smith
Grimethorpe Colliery RJB Band

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Composer Nigel Clarke prefers to research a topic for each work, drawing inspiration from subjects like Alfred Hitchcock films, René Magritte paintings, Shakespearean drama, and the Apollo 8 mission.

Performer Biography

Harmen Vanhoorne, the cornet soloist on 'Mysteries of the Horizon', is a Belgian virtuoso who regularly commissions composers and has won multiple awards, including International Soloist of the Year.

Performer Biography

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band, featured on this album, is a British institution formed in 1917 that has performed internationally, including at the FIFA World Cup and the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

Cultural Impact

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band received two gold discs and a BAFTA nomination for their contribution to the global hit movie 'Brassed Off', and were featured on the soundtrack for the Walt Disney movie 'Escape from the Dark'.

Composer Biography

Nigel Clarke, the composer, began writing for brass band while on staff at the Royal Academy of Music, becoming the first composer to hold a residency with the legendary Black Dyke Band.

Compositional Technique

Nigel Clarke's 'Dial 'H' For Hitchcock' is an imaginary film score for brass band, designed to evoke the film noir genre and includes sound effects like a 'damsel in distress' scream, a revolver shot, and a police siren.