The Official Edward Gregson Web Site

• Genre: Instrumental
• Date of Composition: 1972
• Instrumentation: Cornet (or trumpet) and piano
• Piece Duration: 8
• Publisher: R Smith

I wrote my Prelude and Capriccio in 1972. It exists in two versions: one for cornet and band and the other for cornet and piano.

The work began life in the early sixties, the Capriccio being composed when I was 17. I added a Prelude to complete the work, which lasts for approximately 8 minutes. The Prelude is reflective in character and uses long melodic lines over undulating chromatic harmony. The music reaches a climax before a brief reprise of the opening. The Capriccio is somewhat jazzy in its opening syncopated rhythms, but has a more lyrical middle section before a finale exploiting the virtuoso character of the instrument.

Download Programme Note