Internationally renowned for his contributions to wind and brass repertoire, Edward Gregson has long waited for the moment his work Of Men and Mountains would make its way to its originally-intended destination, the Royal Albert Hall in London. Gregson composed the work with the 1991 National Brass Band Championship Final in mind, but it was abandoned by the contest’s organiser due to its 17-18 minutes duration.

Having been chosen as the test piece for the 2023 Championship Final, on October 21 the work will be performed by 20 of Great Britain’s finest brass bands in the generous acoustic of the …