"Cornish Preludes"
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- The Endless Journey
- Song for Abi
- One for the Bishop's
- Tregousae
- Up on the hilltop
- Eclipse
- Tresillian Bridge 1646
- The boys of Trebah
- The Spanish are coming
- A splash of cobalt blue
- Cousin Jack's bash
- Bonemimori
As played on UK Jazz Radio
& BBC Radio Cornwall
A prelude was originally a piece from as early as the 1400's, often improvisatory, where Lutenists and early Keyboard players would check their tuning before performance. Following many years of teaching the history of preludes, I thought I would produce my own set of twelve. It was J.S Bach who is most famous for this tradition writing two books in all keys, twelve major and twelve minor. (Hence the famous 48!). Other sets by the likes of Chopin and Debussy followed in groups of twelve or twenty four.
The Cornish Preludes, rather like those written by Debussy in 1910, are not linked by key.
However, they do contain many of the musical features associated with this style of composition.
Throughout these pieces a musical ear may spot ostinati, pedal notes, modes, whole tone scales, augmented and diminished chords, performed with a fair sprinkling of improvisation.
These twelve pieces are personal reflections of events and places that have influenced me during my past twenty five years in Cornwall.
I have been very fortunate to collaborate with some excellent musicians here and thank them all for their enthusiasm and input into what has become a highly personal project for me.
Thanks are also due to John and Viv at Speed of sound studios in Falmouth and Martin Bell foroverseeing the production and presentation of this package.
I hope you enjoy it.
"Cornish Preludes is a terrific collection from the Simon Latarche Jazz Ensemble. Latarche's compositions are a near perfect combination of lyricism and improvisation and the ensemble provides finely knit support to Latarche's considerable talents as a pianist."
Karl Ackermann, AllAboutJazz.com
Click here to read the full review of Cornish Preludes from All About Jazz .com
Click "PLAY" on the transport bar to hear MP3 excerpts from the album.
Prelude 1 The Endless Journey
Dedicated to anyone who has experienced the train journey from Paddington to Penzance.
Prelude 2 Song For Abi
Originally written for a school concert, this melodically simple composition evolves with the ability of the
performers, be they thirteen years old, or more experienced jazz musicians.
Prelude 3 One For The Bishop's
This piece was written to celebrate the opening of the adventure quarry near Penryn for an organisation
originally known as The Bishop's Forum. Now called BF Adventure this charity gives opportunities for
young people to experience team building through outdoor education and problem solving.
Prelude 4 Tregousae
The 14th Century Rosteague Manor can be found on the Roseland peninsula and is currently home tothe Milton family. Rosteague is also becoming a well respected jazz venue within this area. Tregousea,
in the best Bill Evans jazz tradition, is an anagram of Rosteague .
Prelude 5 Up on the Hilltop
A celebration of the excitement, energy and inspiration that I have found working with so many young
people at Truro School during the past twenty five years.
Prelude 6 Eclipse
On the 11th August 1999 I experienced the phenomenon of a total eclipse of the sun in my own garden.
This piece uses modern quartal harmony to portray the aura of mystic and wonder I felt.
Prelude 7 Tresillian Bridge 1646
It was on this bridge in 1646 that the army of King Charles I surrendered to the parliamentarian force led
by Sir Thomas Fairfax. Cornwall was a major theatre of this war.
Prelude 8 The Boys Of Trebah
At the foot of the glorious gardens of Trebah in Mawnan Smith is Polgwidden beach. From here in June
1944 the men of the US 29th Infantry departed for Omaha beach as part of Operation Overlord (D Day).
Recreating the early American rooted steel guitar sound, this prelude is a reflection of the contrast of the
beautiful gardens with the carnage and horror that awaited these young men.
Prelude 9 The Spanish Are Coming
In 1595 the fishing village of Mousehole was raided by the Spanish. Four galleys with 200 soldiers,
burned the village to the ground. The flamenco sound in this piece echoes this event in Cornish history.
Prelude 10 A Splash of Cobalt Blue
St Ives is a Mecca for artists, musicians and surfers. This rather funky piece reflects the vibrancy and
excitement found during numerous concerts given in the town.
Prelude 11 Cousin Jack's Bash
It is a well known Cornish saying, that wherever you find a hole in the earth anywhere in the world, there
is bound to be a Cornishman at the bottom of it! A tribute to all Cornish Miners or 'Cousin Jacks'.
Inspired by the Rialton Stone, a Celtic early Chistian memorial stone dating from the 6th Century that
translates from the Latin as 'In Loving Memory'. This prelude is a lament to my late father in law and
dear friend Roy Edwards.
The Musicians
Simon Latarche: Keyboards
Steve Turner: Double Bass, Bass Guitar and Electric Guitar.
Terry Rodd: Drums.
Paul Haywood: Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones.
Sarah McDonagh: Flute.
Robin Pengilley: Trumpet.
Gareth Churcher: Trombone.
Music by Simon Latarche
Recording EngineerJohn Waplington
Recorded at Speed of Sound Studios during July 2010 www.speedofsoundstudio.com
Mixed & Produced byMartin Bell
Cover design & photography
Martin Bell
www.martinbell.tv
Or digital dowload from iTunes
Or Cd Baby
Contact: Simon Latarche
tel: 07968 693310
e: si@simonlatarche.co.uk
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