ABSTRACT
John McCabe's standing within the brass band community is particularly high. He is considered to be an innovator in his approach to sound and structure – with a reputation that exceeds many of the more prolific brass band specialists. The success of Cloudcatcher Fells remains a much cherished work in the brass repertoire of the late twentieth century and is arguably one of his most often performed works, given the number of times it is used as a test piece in brass band competitions. There are three instances in the wind and brass music when McCabe uses the 'Lutoslawski' boxes for atmospheric effect – the start and close of Desert II and Canyons and a brief passage for the cornets in Images – but he prefers to maintain control of momentum, proportion and formal balance through the convention of bar lines.
