Morthanveld Publishing are delighted to announce that some new works for brass ensemble and brass band (and some old ones!) by Edward Gregson are now available to buy for the first time.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the renowned composer’s new self-publishing imprint, the Edward Gregson Composer’s Edition, we are now able to offer an exciting group of pieces for sale for the first time.

Towards the end of 2019 one of the world’s leading professional brass ensembles London Brass assembled in the recording studio to record a new CD of brass ensemble music by a composer who’s name has become synonymous with high quality, original music for brass. Under the direction of internationally regarded conductor Rumon Gamba and the composer himself, and produced by Paul Hindmarsh for the Chandos label, this CD quickly garnered rave reviews for the standard of playing and the quality of the repertoire.

Following on from the release of the CD, Edward Gregson has created performing editions of the previously unpublished material on the CD.

These new editions include the following:

Aria for Philip

Written in memory of Philip Jones, this short work was first performed at his memorial concert held at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2000. Scored for Brass Quintet, it was performed by former members of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Eddie’s relationship with Philip stretched back to his early years as a composer, when Philip heard Gregson’s Brass Quintet and took it on a UK tour with the PJBE. After Philip’s death the PJBE became London Brass, so it is particularly fitting that this fine recording is by the ensemble that took over the mantle of Philip’s ensemble.

Music of the Angels, for Symphonic Brass and Percussion

Music of the Angels is a reworking of a composition originally written for brass band, organ, and percussion. Under the title of The Trumpets of the Angels, that work was commissioned by Nicholas Childs and the Foden’s Band for their centenary concert at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall in 2000.

However, in 2019 the composer decided to rework and rescore some of the original material, transforming it into a new conception for Symphonic Brass and Percussion – Music of the Angels -which was undertaken specially for a recording on the Chandos label with the internationally renowned ensemble London Brass. It is dedicated ‘In tribute to Olivier Messiaen.’

[Check out our special offer for a combined purchase of score and CD…]

Two Fanfares, for three trumpets and three trombones

This set includes two short fanfares for six-piece brass ensemble, Flourish for an Occasion (1981) and Fanfare for PL (2014).

Flourish for an Occasion was written in 1981 for the wedding of Paul and Hazel Patterson. Paul was a fellow student of the composer at the Royal Academy of Music in the 1960’s. The Flourish was later used in a version for brass band in a work entitled Occasion.

Fanfare for PL was commissioned by Paul Lee for his inauguration and tenure as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 2014/15.

Three Fanfares, for symphonic brass and percussion

This set includes three fanfares by Edward Gregson for symphonic brass and percussion ensemble.

Fanfare for a New Era was commissioned by Lady Sheila Stoller to celebrate the opening of the Stoller Hall at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester (UK). It is dedicated to Sir Norman Stoller, who generously donated the funding for the new concert hall. It was first performed by Chetham’s students at the Royal Opening of the Stoller Hall in April 2017.

Fanfare for the North was commissioned by the Gateshead Garden Festival of 1990 and was first performed by London Brass Virtuosi at the Royal Opening by HM The Queen. Its four-note motif (G, A, E, D), heard throughout the fanfare, is derived from the letters of ‘Gateshead’.

Fanfare for Europe was specially commissioned for two concerts celebrating the UK’s entry into the European Economic Community (as it was then known) in 1973. The first performances were given at York Minister and the Royal Albert Hall in January 1973.

Fanfare for a New Era (brass band version)

This set includes three fanfares by Edward Gregson for symphonic brass and percussion ensemble.

Fanfare for a New Era was commissioned by Lady Sheila Stoller to celebrate the opening of the Stoller Hall at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester (UK). It is dedicated to Sir Norman Stoller, who generously donated the funding for the new concert hall. It was first performed by Chetham’s students at the Royal Opening of the Stoller Hall in April 2017.  This new version for Brass Band and Percussion was commissioned by Youth Brass 2000.