Fanfare for a New Era is the most substantial of Edward Gregson’s fanfares and was the result of a private commission by Lady Sheila Stoller to celebrate the opening in April 2017 of the Stoller Hall at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester.  Gregson dedicated it to Sir Norman Stoller, who donated the funding for the new concert hall.  The Fanfare was designed to fill the whole space, with separate brass choirs – trumpets, horns, trombones and tuba – playing their own music.  A solo trumpeter playing ‘on high’ announces first the four horns and timpani, who enter with a stately measure.  Next the herald trumpeter ushers in trombones, tuba and drums, with a faster dance.  Finally, the remaining three trumpets amplify the peeling of bells.  All four elements then come together, surrounding the audience with a ‘joyful noise’ of festive brass and percussion.

Programme note by Paul Hindmarsh