By Tony Mansell, a playing member of St Agnes Silver Band
On the 16th March 1968 Truro Cathedral was filled with the sounds of a concert which will long remain in the memories of those who took part… myself included. Arranged by Cornwall Rural Music School, the internationally famous composer Sir Malcolm Arnold conducted an assemblage of choirs and instrumentalists in a tribute to the Cornish composer.
One of the most remarkable musical occasions ever held there
(Western Morning News)
Sir Malcolm Arnold
There were 400 singers and musicians and the normally enthusiastic and ebullient Malcolm Arnold was occasionally exasperated at rehearsals saying, “The consolation is that it couldn’t be any worse on the night”. However, my lips are sealed regarding the cause of his irritation, that’s best kept between me…and the other 399 who took part!
Perhaps there were more than 400, I didn’t count them so please don’t challenge me on that. There were certainly twelve choirs, two orchestras, two brass bands and the cathedral organ and what a sound it was. The full list can be seen on the programme included in this article.
The printed programme also lists the music played, together with extensive comments by Sir Malcolm. There is little point in me repeating what is included there so I will restrict my further comments to aspects which were off camera so to speak.
Sir Malcolm refers to his Salute to Thomas Merritt being played in 16th century style with groups of instrumentalists in different parts of the Cathedral. St Agnes Silver was positioned high up in the north gallery, quite remote from St Dennis Silver who were also high up but in the south gallery, and from the orchestras which were in the nave. A particular problem was the time lag between the various locations which required the bands to commence playing before the sound from the nave reached them, both brass conductors had to take their cue from Sir Malcolm. We thought it would end in chaos but from the comments after, it was clear that the technical calculations had been perfect.
The Concert, recorded by the BBC and featuring St Agnes Silver Band, St Dennis Silver Band, the Penzance Orchestral Society, the Cornwall Symphony Orchestra, a chorus of 12 Cornish choirs and conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold.
Salute to Thomas Merritt was premiered at the Thomas Merritt Celebration Concert and conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold.
Thomas Merritt’s Coronation March was arranged by Sir Malcolm Arnold.
Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Four Cornish Dances was played by orchestra and band and Robert Kitchen, a fellow member of St Agnes Band, suggests that this may have been the only occasion when such a performance took place.
On a lighter note, there was one occurrence which would have irritated Sir Malcolm had he known. There was little time for the brass bands to make their way up the narrow staircases to their respective locations on high. It had been rehearsed, timed and a small allowance made for any problem. However, one of the St Agnes bass players getting the bell end of his instrument jammed on his way up the stairs was not anticipated. With half the players in place and the remaining failing to appear, panic set in. Cometh the hour and cometh the man. The person behind the errant bass player gave the instrument an almighty thump and with instrument bent but honour intact, everyone was seated and ready for the first note.
For those of us who took part, it was a thoroughly Cornish event of which we felt immensely proud.
The concert was recorded by the BBC and broadcast in April 1968.
Notes:
Sir Malcolm Arnold was made a Bard of Kernow Gorsedh in 1969 taking the name Trompour (Trumpeter).