Edward Gregson News

New Work for Clarinet and Piano

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Edward Gregson has completed a new work for clarinet and piano entitled Tributes.

Edward Gregson has completed a new work for clarinet and piano entitled 'Tributes'. Each of the five pieces, or Tributes, is dedicated to a composer known for his contribution to the clarinet repertoire: Poulenc, Finzi, Stravinsky, Messiaen, and Bartok.

In addition, the composer has dedicated each of the pieces to a clarinettist with whom he has had musical associations. Two of the pieces are to be premiered in Portugal next month by one of the dedicatees, Nicholas Cox. The complete work will be premiered next year by all five clarinettists with dates and venues to be announced. The other four clarinettists are John Bradbury, Michael Collins, Emma Johnson, and Linda Merrick.

Tributes will be published next year by Novello, part of the Music Sales Group. Enquiries about this work, and other music by the Edward Gregson, should be addressed to Victoria Small at Novello.

Gregson writes new ceremonial works for English universities

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Edward Gregson has been commissioned by two English universities to write new ceremonial brass works for their graduation ceremonies.

Edward Gregson has been commissioned by two English universities to write new ceremonial brass works for their graduation ceremonies. Anglia Ruskin University has commissioned Ceremonial for brass quintet for their graduation ceremonies this coming Autumn; the commission commemorates the 150th anniversary of John Ruskin's foundation of the Cambridge School of Art, now part of Anglia Ruskin University.

The other commission is from the recently established University for the Creative Arts which has commissioned Music for an Occasion, also for brass quintet. The first performance took place at a ceremony at Guildford Cathedral in June, with others following over the coming weeks and next Autumn.

Gregson's new BBC commission

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Edward Gregon's Saxophone Concerto is to be broadcast again on BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday 24 June

It has just been announced that Edward Gregson is to write a new work for the BBC Philharmonic for next season as part of their complete Mahler symphonies cycle with the Hallé orchestra. BBC Radio 3 has commissioned a number of prominent composers to fulfil commissions based around a particular Mahler symphony. In Gregson’s case, his new work, entitled Dream Song, will be premiered in the first half of a concert which has Mahler’s 6th Symphony as its main work. The premiere will be given by the BBC Philharmonic under its Principal Conductor Gianandrea Noseda on March 27 2010.

BBC Radio 3 broadcast of Saxophone Concerto

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Edward Gregon's Saxophone Concerto is to be broadcast again on BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday 24 June

Edward Gregon’s recent Saxophone Concerto is to be broadcast again on BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday 24 June on ‘Classical Collection’ at around 11.30am. The soloist is Nobuya Sugawa with the BBC Philharmonic under Clark Rundell. The work was released last year on CD on the Chandos label, alongside Gregson’s Trumpet Concerto and Concerto for Piano and Wind.

Gregson Writes New Work for Strings

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Edward Gregson has been commissioned by the Ida Carroll Trust to write a new work for string orchestra.

Edward Gregson has been commissioned by the Ida Carroll Trust to write a new work for string orchestra in memory of the Cheshire artist Dorothy Bradford who died in July last year aged 90.

The composer writes:

In looking for a particular painting from the artist's considerable output on which to base my new work, I was drawn to one entitled Goddess (1980), unusual for the artist's output in its subject matter. In a largely blue canvas it depicts a seemingly lonely reclining female figure - sensuous, beguiling, and preoccupied. I have written a slow movement which tries to capture this haunting image in sound.

Written for a string orchestra of 15 players, it features an important role for a solo viola (the Goddess of the painting). In turn, the music tries to reflect the different moods I felt from the canvass - sinister, reflective, haunting, captivating, peaceful. The work begins and ends on the pitch of A (a double bass harmonic) and is diverse in its contrast of chromatic and diatonic harmonies. There is a strong lyrical presence throughout, particularly towards the end of the piece.

The first performance will take place at Nantwich Parish Church on Sunday 7 June at 7.30pm, and will be given by Manchester Camerata who have a close association with the composer. They premiered his cello concerto at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival in 2007.

Gregson's Rococo Variations to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Edward Gregson’s work for brass band, the Rococo Variations, is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on the 5th March, 2009. This is part of Radio 3’s coverage of the Royal Northern College of Music’s Festival of Brass 2009.

The Rococo Variations will be played around 4.30pm (UK time) as part of the Afternoon on Three programme. For more information, visit the Radio 3 programme schedule page.

Gregson Receives Honorary Doctorate from Manchester University

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Edward Gregson was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Manchester at a recent ceremony held at the University. He was presented by Professor Philip Grange, himself a composer and Head of the Music Department at the University. The Doctorate was awarded in recognition of his international reputation as a composer and for his services to music education.

This latest award adds to an impressive list of honorary doctorates and fellowships from British universities and colleges, including the universities of Birmingham, Lancaster and Sunderland, as well as the Royal Academy of Music (his alma mater), Royal College of Music and Royal Northern College of Music, where he recently retired after twelve years as Principal of the College.

Brass Herald Article on Edward Gregson

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 18:30:00 +0000

Edward Gregson talks to Rebecca Agnew at the Brass Herald magazine about his work the Rococo Variations.

The article starts: “September 2008 is a very significant month for Edward Gregson. It will be the first time in decades that he hasn’t had to return to an academic post after the long summer vacation, having just retired after 12 years as Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester. While over in Birmingham, his Rococo Variations will be premired at the British Open Championships on 13 September, Gregson’s first brass band test-piece for 17 years.”

To view the Brass Herald Magazine article click here.

Classical Music Magazine Article on Edward Gregson

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:30:00 +0100

Edward Gregson talks to journalist Robert Beale in the current issue of Classical Music (Sept 13 issue) about his time as Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music, a position he held for twelve years and from which he retired this July. He reflects on his successes and frustrations in a candid interview, discusses the current state of conservatoire education, and reveals his plans for the future.

To view the Classical Music Magazine article click here.

Metamorphoses on BBC Radio 3 Concert This Tuesday

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 17:00:00 +0100

This coming Tuesday (7th October, 2008) as part of the BBC Radio 3's Play to the Nation series which celebrates amateur orchestras across the UK, Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra will be performing Gregson's Metamorphoses.

BBC Radio 3's Performance on 3 starts at 7pm (UK time) with a performance of Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 1 and No. 3 by the London Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Valery Gergiev). At around 9pm, the Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra will perform Metamorphoses.

Gregson writes new song for Sir John Manduell birthday concert

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Edward Gregson has written a new song entitled Remember, a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti scored for scored for soprano, recorder, oboe, violin and cello.

Edward Gregson has written a new song entitled Remember, a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The song, scored for soprano, recorder, oboe, violin and cello, has been specially commissioned by the Ida Carroll Trust and will be premiered at a special concert to mark the 80th birthday of Sir John Manduell, Gregson’s predecessor as principal of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

The concert is part of the Park Lane Group’s 08/09 Anniversary season and will take place at the Royal Over-Seas League, London, on Monday 20 October.

New Black Dyke CD Released with New Gregson Recording

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Black Dyke Band have just released a new CD on the Doyen label entitled Essential Dyke Volume 8. The main work on the disc is the revised version of Gregson's Variations on Laudate Dominum, which the same band premiered at the 2008 RNCM Festival of Brass under the baton of the conductor.

Gregson has added two new variations to his 1976 original version and made further revisions in the scoring to make this new version a substantial and brilliant set of symphonic variations. This Black Dyke recording is the premiere recording of the new version and has added to the discography of this already enormously popular work (it has already been performed, broadcast and recorded countless times).

Speaking of this new recording the composer says: “Yet again Black Dyke have produced a stunning recording of one of my works, and one which I revised specially for them. They hold a very special place in my affections, and under the inspirational music directorship of Nicholas Childs they are arguably the finest brass band in the world. I am delighted and thrilled by this new recording and can recommend it without reservation.”

You can buy the recording from Amazon or World of Brass. Please visit the recording page for more information.

New Gregson news by email and a new search facility

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:29:00 +0100

Some new services added to edwardgregson.com

From time to time we try to add new features to edwardgregson.com. A new facility we have added is the ability to search Edward Gregson works by keyword. If you visit the works list page you will see what we mean. At the top of the right side column there is now a search box. Type a keyword in there such as concerto, trumpet or kings and then click search to find works with that keyword in. We hope to add a similar service for the discography section soon.

If you would like to be the first to hear a Gregson news story, learn about a new concert, a new work or a recording then why not use our new feed service? You can subscribe by email or rss. If you subscribe to the email service you will receive an email whenever a new news story, concert, work or recording is posted. Here are the links to subscribe by email:

You can subscribe by RSS with our news feeds (you will need a news reader for this):

New Wind Band Version of Gregson Horn Concerto to be Premiered

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0100

A new version of Edward Gregson's Horn Concerto for large wind ensemble is to be premiered at the International Horn Symposium to be held at the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music, on 26 July 2008. The soloist will be Frank Lloyd with the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts Wind Ensemble. The publisher is Chester Music.

Manchester Premiere for Gregson 'Choral Symphony'

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0100

Manchesters Bridgewater Hall is the venue for the Manchester premiere on Thursday July 3rd of Edward Gregson's 'symphony' for chorus and orchestra The Dance, forever the Dance

Manchesters Bridgewater Hall is the venue for the Manchester premiere on Thursday July 3rd of Edward Gregson’s ‘symphony’ for chorus and orchestra The Dance, forever the Dance. The Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will be conducted by Martyn Brabbins, with Anna Burford as the mezzo soprano soloist. Messiaen's massive Turangalila Symphony will follow the Gregson in the second half.

The Dance, forever the Dance was commissioned by the Hertfordshire Chorus and was premiered in 1999. The London premiere was given by the Bach Choir at the Royal Festival Hall in 2004. Gregson's life-affirming work is in four movements and is structured around a tight symphonic plan. The four movements each have titles: Dance of Joy, Dance of Love, Dance of Death and Dance of Life.

It will be Edward Gregson’s last appearance as Principal of the College as he retires from the post at the end July of this year.

New Gregson work for UK Open Brass Band Championship in September

Sun, 11 May 2008 08:00:00 +0100

Martin Mortimer is delighted to announce that the test piece for the British Open Championship of September 2008 will be a new work from Edward Gregson. Entitled Rococo Variations this work, which is a joint commission by The Open and the Norwegian Brass Band Federation, with help from The Co-operative, will be Gregson's first commissioned test piece for seventeen years. Since 1991 he has devoted his creative output mainly to orchestral music and has completed five orchestral concertos as well as other large scale works. His return to the brass band world is therefore doubly welcome.

Edward Gregson says: "I am delighted to have been commissioned to write the test piece for the 2008 Open Championship. The Open is undoubtedly the finest brass band contest in Britain and has a long and proud record of commissioning new work. Rococo Variations is a kind of Connotations brought into the 21st century and I hope that both bands and audiences will enjoy the experience. In this new work I also pay homage to six fellow composers, past and present, all of whom have made significant contributions to the brass band repertoire."

Rococo Variations (which is to be published by Studio Music) is the first Open test piece to use the variation form since Philip Wilby's Paganini Variations of 1991. It will also be set by The Norwegian Brass Band Federation as the test piece for its National Contest in 2009. The sponsors of this year's Open Championship will be Besson and the contest will be held at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Saturday 13 September 2008.

Edward Gregson to be Guest Conductor of University of Manchester Wind Orchestra

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 11:08:00 +0100

Edward Gregson is to be guest conductor at a special concert at the University of Manchester on Saturday 26th April.

On Saturday 26th April, Edward Gregson is to be the guest conductor at a special concert at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, University of Manchester. He will be conducting 4 of his works- Concerto for Piano and Wind, Festivo, The Kings Go Forth and Metamorphoses.

Murray McLachlan will be the piano soloist for Gregson's Concerto for Piano and Wind. He is Head of Keyboard at Chethams School of Music of which Edward Gregson is a governor, and has performed many of the composers' works before.

Tickets for the concert are available from the University of Manchester Box Office; telephone +44 (0) 161 275 8951, email boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk and web site http://www.quaytickets.com/WhatsOn/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=1323.

Further information can be found on the concert details page - http://edwardgregson.com/concerts/38/manchester-university-wind-orchestra-concert/.

Edward Gregson to give guest lecture on his music at the University of Manchester

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 10:50:00 +0100

On the 17th April, Edward Gregson is to give a guest lecture at the University of Manchester on his music.

In recognition of the Honorary Professorship awarded to Edward Gregson by the University of Manchester in 1996, and his imminent retirement from his current position of Principal of the RNCM, Edward Gregson will give an illustrated lecture on his music. The lecture will be held at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama (Ground floor, Seminar Room G16) on Thursday 17th April, at 2.15pm.

BBC Radio 3 Broadcast of Gregson Works

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:06:00 +0000

In February 2008, two Gregson works are to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The premiere broadcast of the revised version of Variations on Laudate Dominum will be on 'Afternoon on Three' between 3.30pm and 4pm on February 29th, 2008.

On Monday 25th February, Prelude for an Occassion will be broadcast at some time between 3.30pm and 4pm.

It is possible to listen to these broadcasts online using the BBC Radio Player.

New recording of Divertimento

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:05:00 +0000

Brett Baker, Principal Trombone of Black Dyke Band and reknowned soloist, has recorded Edward Gregson's Divertimento for trombone and piano on the Polyphonic label. This is the premiere commercial recording of the work, written in 1968 when Gregson had just completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

New Gregson Site Now Live

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 19:00:00 +0100

The long awaited new edwardgregson.com site is now live!

Select Performers is proud to announce the new edwardgregson.com web site is now live. It has been a huge project, designing from the ground up. It has a fresh new look and has been designed to be more accessible and easier to use.

Over the coming weeks, more content will be added, such as more recordings in the discography section as well as more compositions in the work section.

With the transition from the old site to this one, you may encounter a few incorrect links. We ask you to be patient as we iron out these issues over the coming weeks.

Over the coming year we will be adding other features including-

1. A search facility which will be site wide as well as covering the works, news, concerts and discography sections.
2. Mapping features in the concerts section.
3. A concert adding facility so that you can let us know of concerts which include works by Gregson.
4. and much, much more!

Cello Concerto to receive second performance

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 12:46:00 +0100

A Song for Chris is being performed at the RNCM in October.

Edward Gregson's new cello concerto, A Song for Chris, premiered in May 2007 at the RNCM International cello Festival and dedicated to Christopher Rowland, the former Director of Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music who sadly died recently, is to receive a second performance.

The College will be holding a memorial concert for Chris on Tuesday 16 October to celebrate his life and achievements. The concert, which will be held in the Haden Freeman Concert Hall commencing at 7.30pm, will feature quartets and students who studied with him during his long and distinguished tenure at the College. Among the performers will be the Elias and Navarra quartets.

Edward Gregson will himself conduct this performance of his cello concerto as a tribute to Chris. Liwei will again be the soloist (he will be flying in specially from Singapore) with a specially formed chamber orchestra of RNCM students.

For further details please visit the RNCM website: www.rncm.ac.uk.

New Chandos recording of Gregson concertos

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 12:43:00 +0100

Following the highly successful CD release of Gregson concertos on the Chandos label in 2003, three more concertos are due to be recorded in September 2007 by the same company.

Following the highly successful CD release of Gregson concertos on the Chandos label in 2003, three more concertos were recorded in September 2007 by the same company.

On this second volume disc there are premiere recordings of his Trumpet Concerto (1983), Concerto for Piano and Wind (1997), and his more recent Saxophone Concerto (2006). The soloists are Ole Edvard Antonsen (trumpet), Nelson Goerner (piano), and Nobuya Sugawa (saxophone). The BBC Philharmonic is conducted by Clark Rundell, who has conducted a number of works by the composer.

Release of the new CD is July 2008.

Cello Concerto Broadcast on BBC Radio 3

Mon, 21 May 2007 13:00:00 +0100

Gregson's Cello Concerto is being broadcast on 'Afternoon on 3' in June on BBC Radio 3

The 'Cello Concerto, 'A Song for Chris', is being broadcast on BBC Radio 3's 'Afternoon on 3' on Thursday 14 June. This is a recording of the world premier at the RNCM International 'Cello Festival in May 2007. 'A Song for Chris' is dedicated to Christopher Rowland, Director of Chamber Music at the RNCM, who is valiantly fighting cancer and who is a close colleague and friend of the composer.

New Gregson work premiered on CD

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 18:07:00 +0100

Edward Gregson has written a new work for oboe and percussion entitled Shadow of Paradise which has just been released on CD.

Edward Gregson has written a new work for oboe and percussion entitled Shadow of Paradise. The work was written for, and is dedicated to Melinda Maxwell, the celebrated English oboist who is also Consultant in Woodwind Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The work has just been released on CD (Dutton Digital, Epoch label: CDLX7180) along with a number of other premiere recordings of works written for Melinda Maxwell by Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Adam Gorb and Melinda Maxwell herself).

For the Gregson premiere, she is joined by the percussionist, Richard Benjafield.

Shadow of Paradise is a dramatic work lasting some ten minutes, virtuoso in character, and based on the poem Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

World premiere of new Gregson cello concerto

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 17:51:00 +0100

Edward Gregson's new concerto for cello and chamber orchestra will receive its world premiere at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival on Thursday, 3 May.

Edward Gregson's new concerto for cello and chamber orchestra - A Song for Chris - will receive its world premiere at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival on Thursday, 3 May in the Haden Freeman Concert Hall, Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). The new work will be premiered by Li-Wei with the Manchester Camerata, conducted by Douglas Boyd.

The work is dedicated to Christopher Rowland, Director of Chamber Music at the RNCM, who is valiantly fighting cancer and who is a close colleague and friend of the composer.

The concerto lasts for some eighteen minutes and is cast in four movements, played continuously. Two middle fast movements (Intermezzo and Toccato-Scherzo) are flanked by opening and closing slow movements (Meditation and Song).

Gregson Saxophone Concerto Radio Broadcast

Tue, 9 May 2006 18:13:00 +0100

Edward Gregson's new saxophone concerto will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Tuesday, 30th May at 2pm.

Edward Gregson's new saxophone concerto will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Tuesday, 30th May at 2pm. His Violin Concerto is also being performed.

Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 1*
Gregson Violin Concerto **
Cyril Scott Early One Morning **
Elgar In the South - Overture ***
Gregson Saxophone Concerto ****

Gianandrea Noseda conductor *
Martyn Brabbins conductor **
Vassily Sinaisky conductor ***
Clark Rundellconductor ****
Olivier Charlier violin
Nobuya Sugawa saxophone

World premiere of new saxophone concerto

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 11:37:00 +0100

Edward Gregson has written a new saxophone concerto which will receive its world premiere at the final concert of Sonic Skylines in Manchester.

Edward Gregson, Principal of the RNCM, has written a new saxophone concerto which will receive its world premiere at the final concert of Sonic Skylines, a festival of contemporary music by composers living and working in Manchester.

The saxophone concerto is the latest in a series of concertos Gregson has composed since the beginning of his career, all of which have been written for distinguished soloists commencing with the Horn Concerto (written for Ifor James in 1971), and more recently the highly acclaimed Clarinet Concerto (for Michael Collins in 1994), Concerto for Piano and Winds (for John McCabe in 1997), and the Violin Concerto (for Lyn Fletcher and the Halle in 2000).

Gregson's Saxophone Concerto is in three linked movements and lasts some 24 minutes. It explores the full expressive and virtuosic range of the alto saxophone and uses the soprano saxophone in the more lyrical slow movement. It also includes an important role for piano and kit drummer.

The soloist in the saxophone concerto will be the Tokyo-based Nobuya Sugawa, who commissioned the work personally from Edward Gregson and is one of the leading saxophonists in the Far East. He will be joined by the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Clark Rundell, Head of Contemporary Music at the RNCM.

The concert will take place at Studio 7, Broadcasting House, Manchester, on Wednesday 10 May at 7.30pm.

Two New Gregson CDs Released

Tue, 7 Feb 2006 17:56:00 +0000

Two new Cds have been released, one from Doyen and the other from Naxos containing works by Edward Gregson.

Two new compact discs have been released containg works by Edward Gregson. Budget CD giant, Naxos have released a disc of British Tuba Concertos which contains a new recording of the Orchestral version of Gregson's Tuba Concerto performed by James Gourlay and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and conducted by Gavin Sutherland.

Brass Band specialist Doyen Recordings have released a new CD under the title History of Brass Band Music - the Modern Era 1970-2000. This disc was recorded at Dewsbury Town Hall in April 2005 and was released in January this year. This contains a new recording of Gregson's Connotations performed by Grimethorpe Colliery Band and conducted by Elgar Howarth.

To buy these CDs please click on the links below.

Edward Gregson 60th Birthday Concert

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 16:15:00 +0100

Edward Gregson's 60th Birthday Portrait concert will be held on Friday 17 June at the Royal Northern College of Music

A concert to celebrate Edward Gregson's 60th Birthday is to be held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on Friday, 17 June 2005 at 7.30 pm in the Haden Freeman Concert Hall.

Edward has devised a chamber programme placing a selection of his own pieces alongside music by his teacher Alan Bush and his long-term friend, composer Paul Patterson, as well as music by the composer who has been a major influence on his own music, Sir Michael Tippett.

The works of Edward Gregson to be performed at this concert are:

For further details contact the box office at the Royal Northern College of Music (0161 907 5278) or visit the website: www.rncm.ac.uk

Trumpets of the Angels becomes CD of the Year

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:41:00 +0100

Two publications name the recording of Edward Gregson's 'The Trumpets of the Angels' CD of the Year 2004

The recent recording of Edward Gregson's 'The Trumpets of the Angels' has been named CD of the Year 2004 by Brass Band World and British Bandsman.

The CD, which has received rave reviews in both publications, is already enjoying huge success in terms of sales and further critical response.

You may purchase the CD from World of Brass at www.worldofbrass.com

Gregson Audio Clips Now Available

Tue, 1 Mar 2005 16:00:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce that there are now nearly 70 audio clips available at Edward Gregson's official site - www.edwardgregson.com - almost an hours worth of material.

Almost an hours worth of audio clips are now available on Edward Gregson's official site- www.edwardgregson.com. There are 68 clips ranging from his Six Little Piano Pieces to all three versions of his Tuba Concerto. This is by far the most substantial collection of audio clips of Gregson's music anywhere on the net! To listen to the clips you can visit the listening booth where you can listen to all the clips in the same place. If you are browsing through the works, you can listen to them there also.

Currently the clips are available for Windows Media Player. Most PCs come with Windows Media Player as standard, and it is possible to download a version for the Apple Mac platform. There are plans to make these clips available in the MP3 format to increase cross-browser compatibility

We hope you enjoy listening to Edward Gregson's works!

2005 RNCM Festival of Brass

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 19:20:00 +0000

At the start of his 60th birthday year, Edward Gregson is to be one of the featured composers at the 2005 RNCM Festival of Brass from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd January.

At the start of his 60th birthday year, Edward Gregson is to be one of the featured composers at the 2005 RNCM Festival of Brass. From Friday 21 to Sunday 23 January, bands such as the Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band, the Buy As You View Cory Band, the Fodens Richardson Band, the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army, and the Black Dyke Band will play Gregson works spanning his whole composing career. Featured works include:

Connotations
Of Men and Mountains
Concerto for French Horn and Brass (soloist: Jeff Nelson)
Tuba Concerto (soloist: James Gourlay)
March - Dalaro
Symphonic Rhapsody
Variations on 'Laudate Dominum'
Dances and Arias
An Age of Kings.

In addition, Edward Gregson has contributed to a special set of variations to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Michael Tippett, which is also being celebrated at the Festival. This piece, including variations by Ball, Howarth, Tovey and Wilby, will have its world première at the evening concert on Saturday 22 January.

The Festival also celebrates the 70th birthday of Elgar Howarth, and the 65th of John McCabe. It will be held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, with concerts taking place in the Haden Freeman Concert Hall. Tickets are available now from the RNCM Box Office (tel. 0161 907 5555 or visit www.rncm.ac.uk for more details).

Audio Samples & Work of the Day live

Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:00:00 +0000

Over 60 audio clips are now available of Edward Gregson's music on www.edwardgregson.com.

At last, more than 60 audio samples of Edward Gregson's works are now available on the www.edwardgregson.com website. They are available either on the works page (look out for the speaker icon!) or on the listening booth page. All clips are in a streaming windows media player format so you may listen to the clips whether you have a dial-up or broadband connection. Most PCs come with Windows Media Player as standard and you can download a version for the Apple Mac format.

New Edward Gregson CD

Tue, 28 Sep 2004 12:00:00 +0100

The Black Dyke Brass Band have recorded the CD - 'The Trumpets of the Angels' on the Doyen label.

The new CD recorded by the world famous Black Dyke Brass Band, entitled 'The Trumpets of the Angels' is released on the 16th October, 2004.

The CD contains four of Gregson's works- 'An Age of Kings', 'Symphonic Rhapsody', 'Tuba Concerto' and 'Trumpets and Angels'

The soloists are David Thornton (Euphonium) and Joseph Cook (Tuba), and the Black Dyke band are conducted by Nicholas Childs

You may purchase the CD from World of Brass at www.worldofbrass.com

The Official Edward Gregson Site is Launched

Tue, 28 Sep 2004 09:00:00 +0100

The official web site of the composer, Edward Gregson at www.edwardgregson.com, was launched on the 1st October, 2004.

The official web site for the composer, Edward Gregson- www.edwardgregson.com was launched on the 1st October, 2004.

The web site was designed by Select Performers, a company specialising in web design, hosting and promotion for professional musicians. The web site has a powerful database-driven backbone which makes it possible to view and search through works, recordings and audio clips. The works database contains more than 100 or Edward Gregson's works and these are linked with the discography database for the recordings.