Gregson - Music Of The Angels Brass Chandos

EDWARD GREGSON

premiere recording

Fanfare for a New Era (2017) *

2:48

for Symphonic Brass and Percussion

To Sir Norman Stoller

Jason Evans off-stage trumpet

Tempo 1. Majesticaly - Tempo 2. Faster (but stately!) -

Tempo 3. Faster still (with energy) - Tempo 2. Steadier -

A little slower - Tempo 4. Fast, with exuberance -

Tempo 3 - Tempo 2 - Tempo 1

premier recording in this version

Symphony in two movements (2012, new version 2014)

18:06

for Symphonic Brass and Percussion

To Paul Hindmarsh

Toccata. Fast, with energy - Tempo 2. A little steadier -

5:24

Variations

[Theme.] Not too slow, always moving - Majestically -

1:48

Variation 1. Fast and mercurial - A little steadier -

1:36

Variation 2. Strict tempo, menacingly - Faster, with excitement -

1:29

Variation 3. As the beginning, but serenely -

4:27

Variation 4. Fast, with energy - A little steadier -

3:20

Three Dance Episodes (1974) †

9:21

for Brass Octet

Dan Newell • Gareht Small • Andy Crowley trumpets

Richard Bissill horn

Byron Fulcher • Dave Stewart trombones

David Childs euphonium

Oren Marshall tuba

Molto allegro

2:27

Andante con espressione - Poco meno mosso

4:01

10.

III

Vivace - Presto

2:43

11.

Flourish for an Occasion (1981) †

0:52

for Three Trumpets and Three Trombones

To Paul and Hazel Patterson

Andrew Crowley • Gareth Small • Dan Newell trumpets

Lindsay Shilling • Byron Fulcher • Dave Stewart trombones

Not too fast, but majestic

premiere recording

12.

Fanfare for PL (2014) †

1:34

for Three Trumpets and Three Trombones

To Paul Lee

Andy Crowley • Gareth Small • Dan Newell trumpets

Lindsay Shilling • Byron Fulcher • Dave Stewart trombones

Sately, but with energy - Slower

Quintet for Brass (1967) †

10:45

For the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble

Gareth Small • Andy Crowley trumpets

Richard Bissill horn

Byron Fulcher trombone

Oren Marshall tuba

13.

Andante sostenuto - Allegro scherzando - Meno mosso - Tempo I (Andante sostenuto)

5:44

14.

Allegro, molto ritmico - Meno mosso - Tempo I - Coda

5:01

premier recording

15.

Aria for Philip (2000) †

4:28

from Brass Quintet

In memoriam Philip Jones

Andy Crowley • Gareth Small trumpets

Richard Bissill horn

Byron Fulcher trombone

Oren Marshall tuba

Quite slow and thoughtful - Broaden - Slower -

Gradually moving forward - Molto sostenuto - Slower -

Tempo I - Faster, with growing exuberance

premiere recording

Music of the Angels (2000, new version 2015) *

16:37

for Symphonic Brass and Percussion

In tribute to Olivier Messiaen

Philip Cobb trumpet I

James Fountain trumpet II

Jason Evans trumpet III

Andy Crowley trumpet IV • flugelhorn

Christian Barraclough trumpet V in E flat

Simon Munday trumpet VI

Gareth Small trumpet VII, off-stage

David Childs euphonium

16.

Slow and sombre - Cadenza. Freely - A tempo -

5:39

Cadenza. Freely - A temp - Cadenza. Freely - A tempo -

17.

Slowly, with a sense of desolation -

2:28

18.

Faster -

0:51

19.

Cadenza. Freely -

2:11

20.

Fast, with energy - A tempo, but a little faster - Triumphantly

5:28

Total time: 64:19

Orchestra: London Brass

Conductor: Rumon Gamba *

under the musical direction of the composer †

“… The performances by the London Brass and guest percussion players under the direction of Rumon Gamba (with the composer in attendance) are superlative, and gloriously captured in trademark Chandos sound… This is an absolute must-have for all fanciers of brass music, but anyone who appreciates fine contemporary tonal music will benefit from investing in it as well. Enthusiastically recommended.”

James A Altena - Fanfare - November/December 2020

“… bravura playing is much in evidence throughout as the members of London Brass do full justice to Gregson’s intricate and often challenging ideas under Rumon Gamba’s alert and responsive direction. The recorded sound is of demonstration standard and Paul Hindmarsh’s booklet notes are engaging and insightful. Arguably the most satisfying and enjoyable of all the Chandos albums devoted to the music of Edward Gregson, this release is thoroughly recommended.” *****

Paul Conway – Musical Opinion Quarterly – October-December 2020

“This magnificent album sweeps through Gregson’s career of writing for symphonic brass, with a plethora of colours and stylistic influences. Glittering sound and production to boot,” ****

Freya Parr - BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes section) - July 2020

“… Edward Gregson’s compositional career spans over half a century. Hopefully there will be many more years to come. His has been a singular symphonic voice blessed with a communal musical message; his works exploring understandable boundaries with an inquisitive intellect that has questioned as well as answered expectations. This outstanding release is a definitive endorsement of that communicative skill set (aided by superb sleeve notes by Paul Hindmarsh), the arc of repertoire imposing in its span; fanfares and dances to an aria and two-part symphony, a youthful early quintet to a maturely re-envisaged Messiaen inspired biblical apocalypse. The scope of the writing is measured in its brilliance by the performers - a blaze of omnipotent triumph.”

Iwan Fox – 44barsrest.com/reviews – 5 April 2020

Critic’s Choice

Programme ***** Performance ***** Overall Presentation ***** Recording Quality *****

“… London Brass is, justifiably, one of the world’s most sought-after ensembles. Combined with the pioneering artistic vision of Edward Gregson and distilled with care and authenticity by Paul Hindmarsh and the team at Chandos, it makes for an album of unrivalled, breath-taking quality which deserves recognition at the very highest level; a musical masterpiece.”

Mark Good – British Bandsman magazine – April 2020

“…This latest outing is a selection of music for particular brass and percussion ensembles, and demonstrates the composer’s approachability and imagination. Because of the particular sound palette, it is probably best to hear these pieces in isolation rather than sequentially, but Gregson admirers need not hesitate.”

Barry Forshaw – CDChoice.co.uk – 14 March 2020

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