Gary Carpenter

Runcorn Bridge

Parts only. Score available separately. The through-arch bridge that is visible for miles across the Cheshire Gap is one of two adjacent bridges that cross both the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal. Its formal name is the Silver Jubilee Bridge is more usually known as the Runcorn Bridge. Runcorn Bridge begins with a brief, quiet, introduction featuring an oboe solo. There follows a lively march at the end of which a reflective interlude (or bridge!) based upon the tune that occurs twice in the march leads to a lyrical, almost nocturnal section spotlighting the alto saxophone. A variant of the first interlude leads to a scherzo-like section kicked off by the euphonium with a 'trio' that contains a Latin-inflected version of the oboe melody first heard in the introduction. A third interlude variant heralds a return of the nocturnal melody firstly as a horn solo but subsequently returning to the alto saxophone. Previous melodic materials gradually combine as an extended crescendo leads to a majestic, but short, coda that in a gesture of symmetrical solidarity refers back to the march tune utilised in the earlier interludes. Duration: 10:30. Recorded on Polyphonic QPRM160D Bells Across the Atlantic.