A Tribute: The Band of the Welsh Guards

CD 1

1. The Welsh Guards on Parade Trad 1916

2. Reminiscences of Wales Arr. Fred Godfrey 1916

3. Land of My Fathers James 1916

4. Lion of St. Marc G. Fabiani 1916

5. La Gran Via Joaquin Valverde 1916

6. King’s Birthday March Kuhne 1916

7. Punjaub Payne 1916

8. Flash of Steel Colin 1916

9. Little Gadabout Colin 1916

10. The Phantom Brigade Myddleton 1916

11. Kitchener’s Brigade P. Miller 1916

12. March of the ANZACs M. Stratford-Andrews 1916

CD 2

1. Gypsy Princess – Selection Stanley/Kalman 1921

2. The Whistler and his Dog Pryor 1929

3. Gaiety Echoes Caryll; Monckton 1930

4. Wedded Whimsies Alford 1931

5. Tarantella De Concert Greenwood 1931

6. Faust – Selection Gounod 1931

7. F818 London Bridge Coates 1934

8. Wedding of the Rose Jessel 1933

9. Half an Hour of Heaven Hill; Silva; De Murcia 1940

10. Indian Summer Herbert; Dubin 1940

11. Db 2045 Welsh National Songs 1941

Disc 1 features the Band’s recordings from 1916, including The Welsh Guards on Parade, their very firstrecording, a medley of the Welsh Guards’ regimental slow and quick marches, “Men of Harlech” and “The Risingof the Lark”, and the salute “Men of Glamorgan”. Other highlights include The Phantom Brigade, a depiction of aretired colonel thinking on his comrades of days and glory past, and the March of the ANZACs, written to honorthe fighting forces of Australia and New Zealand at Gallipoli. These and other selections from disc 1 are indicativeof the Welsh Guards Band’s repertoire during its first year of service, including its tour to the front lines.

Disc 2 takes the listener up to WWII, when the Band of the Welsh Guards became the first service band toappear on the BBC’s “Music While You Work”. Two tracks feature the Welsh Guards’ Dance Band,supplemented in wartime by members of the Geraldo Orchestra. Unusual but delightful numbers include thenovelty tune The Whistler and His Dog, composed by Arthur Pryor, trombone virtuoso of John Philip Sousa’sband and Wedded Whimsies, a marathon of musical quotations — including “Turkey in the Straw”, Schubert’s 8thSymphony, “My Old Kentucky Home”, Carmen, and dozens more — spun together by master march composerKenneth J. Alford. The Band of the era also displays its versatility with excerpts from Gypsy Princess and Faust.

The Band of the Welsh Guards will be giving a concert on the 1st of March, 2016, the 100th anniversary of theirfirst concert appearance in 1916 at the London Opera House, as depicted on the cover art. The event will bestreamed live.