Edward Gregson’s new orchestral version of the Horn Concerto, originally written in 1971 for brass band, is to receive its premiere in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Friday 30 August from Paul Klein (horn) and the Ulster Orchestra conducted by Takuo Yuasa. It will be given as part of a BBC Invitation Concert and will be broadcast later in the year on BBC Radio 3.

The composer comments:

For many years I have wanted to make an orchestral version of my Horn Concerto, the first of my ten concertos and composed in 1971. It was originally commissioned in its version …

May 11th will see the premiere of the new brass band version of Edward Gregson’s Trombone Concerto. Commissioned by Nicholas Childs for Brett Baker (trombone) and the Black Dyke Band, the new version will be premiered by the same performers, conducted by Nicholas Childs at a concert by the band at the Newbury Festival. Already an established international repertoire work for the trombone in its original version for orchestra, this new version will bring it into the repertoire of many more players. Brett baker and the Black Dyke Band are to record the work later this year.

Gregson’s Trombone Concerto …

Edward Gregson’s recent ‘Symphony in two movements’ for brass band, which was premiered in 2012 by the National Youth Brass Bands of Great Britain and Wales, is to have its contest premiere at the European Brass Band Championships in Oslo on Saturday 4th May. One of the top bands in Europe will be giving the contest premiere in the own choice section of the competition. The 18 minute work is a tour-de-force in brass writing, technically and musically demanding, but rewarding in its lyricism as well as its virtuosity. Gregson’s music is well known in Norway, and the Norwegian Brass …

Chandos has just released a new CD with Michael Collins (clarinet) and Michael McHale (piano) entitled ‘British Clarinet Sonatas Volume 2′ (CHAN 10758). Included on the CD is the premiere recording of Edward Gregson’s ‘Tributes’ for clarinet and piano, which was premiered by the same two performers in 2010 at a BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Recital from Glasgow.

‘Tributes’ is in five movements, each dedicated to a different twentieth century composer who wrote memorably for the clarinet: Poulenc, Finzi, Stravinsky, Messiaen, and Bartok. Each piece in turn is also dedicated to a different clarinettist with whom the composer has worked, …