Edward Gregson is an English composer of international standing, and one of the leading composers of his generation, whose music has been performed, recorded, and broadcast in many countries. He has written orchestral, chamber, instrumental, vocal and choral music, as well as music for theatre and television, with his contribution to the wind and brass repertoire being of particular significance worldwide. He has been commissioned by many leading orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Halle orchestras, and has been nominated for both a British Composer’s Award and an Ivor Novello Award. Edward Gregson writes in a highly approachable style, but within a challenging contemporary framework, often using ‘traditional’ forms such as sonata, variation, and fugue to encapsulate his ideas. He has a strong vein of lyrical expression and melody running through his music, but it is also often highly-charged, both rhythmically and texturally. He has been described as ‘a superb craftsman, with great orchestral flair and genuine melodic gifts’, and his music as being both ‘gritty’ and ‘serene’. Another critic has remarked that ‘his ability to suggest a world both familiar and strange is impressive.

Starting with the Concertante for Piano and Brass Band Edward Gregson is now issuing all of his previously unpublished brass band music under his own Composer’s Edition imprint, and Morthanveld are delighted to have been appointed as printer and sole distributor of these works.

  • The World Rejoicing (Symphonic Variations on a Lutheran Chorale) was jointly commissioned by the British Open Brass Band Championship, and the National Brass Band Associations/Federations of the Netherlands (NBK), Belgium (VLAMO), Switzerland (SBBV) and Norway (NMF), to be used as the top section test-piece for their National/Open brass band competitions in 2021-23. It is a set of variations on the chorale Nun danket alle Gott written around 1636 by Martin Rinkart and set to music around 1648 by Johann Cruger.
  • At last…..it’s published! On the 50th anniversary of its premiere at the Royal Festival Hall, London, Edward Gregson's Concertante for Piano and Brass Band,  the work that launched the composer’s career in the brass band world is now finally published. Having been withdrawn from public performance in the 1980s the work has remained unavailable until now. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore a new genre. From its dramatic opening Prelude, to its tender and lyrical Nocturne, and the final rhythmic and joyful Rondo, this eighteen minute work is an exhilarating showcase for both pianist and brass band.
    This 50th anniversary release is a very welcome publication that should prove highly attractive to both performers and audiences. A master musician has revisited his youth and resurrected a gem for all to savour and enjoy! - Ronald W. Holz, The Brass Herald, August 2018
  • Fanfare for a New Era was originally written for Symphonic Brass and Percussion, and was commissioned to celebrate the Royal Opening of The Stoller Hall at Chethams School of Music in April 2017. That original version has been commercially recorded on the Chandos label (CHAN 20127) by London Brass, conducted by Rumon Gamba. This new version for Brass Band and Percussion was commissioned by Youth Brass 2000.
  • This set includes three fanfares by Edward Gregson for symphonic brass and percussion ensemble,
    • Fanfare for a New Era
    • Fanfare for the North
    • Fanfare for Europe.
    Instrumentation: See details below for exact instrumentation for each fanfare This work is also available as a PDF download.
  • 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.’ Duration: c.16 minutes Instrumentation:
    • 1 Trumpet in E flat (Trumpet 5)
    • 6 Trumpets in B flat (Trumpet 4 doubling Flugel Horn)
    • 4 Horns in F
    • 3 Tenor Trombones
    • 1 Bass Trombone
    • Euphonium
    • 2 Tubas
    • 2 Timpani (Percussion 3 doubles Timpani 2)
    • Percussion (3 players): 3 Tam-tams, 3 Suspended Cymbals, Bass Drum, Tenor Drum, Snare Drum, Tubular Bells.
  • This outstanding CD contains all of Edward Gregson's significant works for Symphonic Brass, including the seminal Brass Quintet, the Symphony in two movements and Music of the Angels, performed by some of the UK's leading professional brass musicians.
  • A Song for Bram is dedicated to the memory of Bramwell Tovey, conductor, composer, pianist and musician of huge talent, who sadly passed away before his time in the summer of 2022.
  • To Harry and Bram This short concert prelude is ideal for marking a musical birthday - if your band, or a supporter, or even one of your audience is celebrating!
  • 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. Instrumentation:
    • 2 Trumpets in C
    • Horn in F
    • Trombone
    • Tuba
  • Instrumentation:
    • 1 Trumpet in E flat
    • 3 Trumpets in B flat
    • 3 Tenor Trombones
    • 1 Bass Trombone
  • Celebration Fanfare was specially written for the 50th Anniversary concert of the Port Sunlight Lyceum Band. It was a gift from the composer to his cousin, Ralph Peters, co-founder of the band in 1973.
  • Postcard to Grimethorpe was composed in 1993 for a fundraising concert for the Grimethorpe Colliery band, in the wake of the announcement of the closure of the pit, and re-discovered in Grimethorpe's library in 2022.

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