Film of Silver Rose performance now available

26 Feb 2015

If you missed the performance of the specially commissioned work for brass band, Silver Rose, which was premiered at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Remembrance Sunday - or you wish to relive a truly moving experience - you can now view it online at YouTube. The work was composed by Liz Lane and performed by Lydbrook Band conducted by Ian Holmes. The work features poems by Bristol-born Isaac Rosenberg, which were read by actor Robert Hardy. The title refers both to the final poem, 'Song', which incorporates the words 'silver rose', and to the 1914 Star medal, awarded to soldiers who served under fire between 5 August and 22 November 1914, and were entitled to wear a small silver rose on their medal ribbon when not wearing the medal itself.

Feedback comments on the event include:

“….very brilliant and moving work…. The rendition by Robert Hardy and the playing by The Lydbrook Band were both splendid, and Shelley and myself thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance and thank you so much for the copy of the score”. (Bernard Wynick, nephew of Isaac Rosenberg)

“I so enjoyed the composition - absolutely beautiful and compelling. Thank you so much.” (Shelley Swade, cousin of Bernard Wynick, Isaac Rosenberg’s nephew)

“I thought Silver Rose was outstandingly good...a real cultural highlight of 2014 for me.” (Phil Gibby, Area Director South West, Arts Council England)

“It was both easy and unsettling and had a fragility that was echoed in Robert Hardy’s stark raw haunting impressions – the bloody madness of it all in ‘Returning We Hear Larks’ !!! It was a special performance with a silky smooth brass band and we were very moved throughout....” (audience member)

“An extraordinarily powerful piece and a great privilege to be at the first performance. The venue, band, Ian and Robert Hardy all superb.” (audience member)

"It was a privilege to be part of the Silver Rose experience. I found it extremely moving and felt very emotional. The band were excellent, so talented. I watched each individual playing and marvelled at the crescendo of sound produced by their United efforts. They were expertly conducted by Ian Holmes and the respect they had for him was evident. I think Liz Lane an accomplished composer and her pieces complimented Issac Rosenberg's poetry, beautifully read by Robert Hardy.” (audience member)

Photos from the concert can be seen HERE. Read more comments on the work HERE.