This work was commissioned as a celebration of the life and work of Murray Slater, the inspirational musical director of Derbyshire County Youth Wind Band, who sadly died in 2000. Murray was greatly loved and respected in the wind and brass band world, was a fine trumpeter and teacher, and was universally known as “Man of Music”.
Celebration attempts to capture facets of Murray’s personality. The Rondo’s theme has a witty rhythmic twist to it, the Valse Triste features a solo trumpet, and the concluding March contrasts a Prokofievian theme with a slower “big tune” that attempts to match the stature of the man.
The first performance took place on 12th July 2002 in Chesterfield, with the Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band, conducted by the composer. |
