Three Dance Episodes
In 1974 Gregson was approached by a new eight-piece brass ensemble, the James Shepherd Versatile Brass (JSVB), to contribute a work to its first recording. One of the most highly-regarded cornet soloists of his generation, James Shepherd was principal cornet of Black Dyke Mills Band for ten years (1963 -73) before leaving to form a flexible ensemble, mixing brass band and symphonic instruments. Scored for three trumpets, horn, two trombones, euphonium and tuba, Three Dance Episodes matches JSVB’s artistic ambition with music that combines a neo-classical precision with Gregson’s take on English song and dance.
The opening Toccata contrasts two …
Read MoreQuintet for Brass
Quintet for Brass is a seminal work in Edward Gregson’s output. Composed in 1967 as a graduation piece, it won the Royal Academy of Music’s most prestigious composition prize established as a memorial to one of its most influential composition teachers, Frederick Corder (1952-1932). Interestingly, Gregson’s teacher Alan Bush (1900-1995) was a pupil of Corder at the Royal Academy of Music. In the audience at the Quintet’s first performance, given by a student brass quintet, was Philip Jones, who was impressed with the confidence and skill it revealed and took on a UK Tour with his ensemble. It was also …
Read MoreMetamorphoses
Metamorphoses was commissioned by Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, and was first performed by the Goldsmiths Sinfonia, conducted by the composer, in June 1979. It is scored for a large wind and brass ensemble, with the addition of piano, percussion and double basses.
The title of the work refers to the process of constant change that occurs in the music. The opening four-note motif provides most of the intervallic and harmonic material. The work is in three main sections, the first of which alternates between pulsed and non-pulsed (or ‘free’) music; the second is a slow section with solos for …
Read MorePartita (symphonic wind band version)
The original version of Partita was written for brass band in 1971. The version for symphonic wind band was made by Geoffrey Brand in 1999, specially for the G&M Brand wind series.
The musical thread that runs through the work is the 13th century plainsong Dies Irae from the Requiem Mass. This gives the work a rather sombre tone which is audible right from the start of its first movement Intrada. The initial hammer-like chords of the opening and conclusion are only interrupted momentarily by a more lyrical modal tune. Even here, on its repetition, it is surrounded by …
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