Eric Ball: The Kingdom Triumphant Context Eric Walter John Ball was born in Gloucestershire in October 1903 and was the eldest of 16 siblings. He learned to play the piano and organ and by 1919 Ball started to work in the Salvation Army musical instrument department in London. Ball is Read more…
Einojuhani Rautavaara: A Requiem in Our Time Context Composed in 1953 when he was still a student at the Sibelius Academy, A Requiem of Our Time was the first of three works for brass ensemble that Rautavaara composed. The piece brought an international spotlight onto Rautavaara after he won the Read more…
Malcolm Arnold: Fantasy for Brass Band Context Composed between 1973-74 for England’s 1974 National Brass Band Championships, Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Brass Band proved to be a hit with bands across the nation. The Cory Band, then conducted by Major H. A. Kenney, are said to be the band that Read more…
Peter Meechan: Fragile Oasis Context Peter Meechan’s Fragile Oasis for brass band was commissioned by Leyland band and Michael Bach. The work was first performed at the 2013 European Brass Band Championships, which were held in Oslo that year. The title of the work refers to: “A collective who Read more…
Peter Graham: Gaelforce Context Peter Graham was born in Scotland in 1958. He is most known for his works for brass and wind bands. He studied under the tutelage of Edward Gregson, where he completed a PhD in composition from Goldsmiths College, London. Many of Graham’s works are now staples Read more…
Joseph Horovitz: Ballet for Band Context Joseph Horovitz was commissioned to compose the Championship Section test piece for the National Finals in 1983, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. He composed Ballet for Band, which was conquered by Cory Band that year. More recently, Ballet for Band Read more…
Goff Richards: Oceans Context Commissioned from the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival in 1984, Goff Richards’ Oceans was premiered at the 60th Anniversary Festival of the Bugle Contest in Cornwall. A highly descriptive and challenging piece, Oceans has interestingly been used as a set test piece for the Championship, First Read more…
James Curnow: Trittico for Brass Band Context Commissioned in 1988 by the Swiss Brass Band Association, James Curnow’s Trittico for Brass Band was first performed at the Swiss National Championships of the same year. This Championship-level test piece has been used around the world for various contests including the Grand Read more…
Peter Meechan: The Legend of King Arthur Context Commissioned by brass band Bürgermusik Luzern in 2010, Peter Meechan’s The Legend of King Arthur is one of his most adventurous works. Meechan was inspired by the endless tales of King Arthur, from the pulling of the sword from the stone, to Read more…
John McCabe: Cloudcatcher Fells Context Commissioned by Boosey and Hawkes in 1985, John McCabe’s Cloudcatcher Fells was used as the test piece for the National Brass Band Championship in the same year. Set into four continuous movements, McCabe was inspired by David Wright’s 1977 poem Cockermouth, which the composer came Read more…