Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Edward Gregson
Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style) (2012)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
Available to purchase from Studio Music here (Score and parts) (Score only)
Programme Note
Composer's Note
The first original test-piece for brass band (Labour and Love by Percy Fletcher) was composed in 1913 for the National Brass Band Championships, held at London’s Crystal Palace.
For the centenary of that event in 2013, I decided to write a work that pays tribute to some of those early test-pieces. The list of the composers is a distinguished one of course, including well-known names such as Holst, Ireland, Elgar, and Howells, alongside other less familiar ones. The brass band tradition owes much to them, for through their music they established a truly homogenous ‘British’ brass band sound that has spread throughout many parts of the world. That tradition flourishes today and remains important for today’s composers, even if their musical language is far removed from that of their predecessors.
Of Distant Memories pays homage to these composers and their music, and in the process summons up a kind of subconscious memory bank of the musical languages, styles and forms used by them. Although conceived in the form of a ‘traditional’ tone poem, reflecting the form used in those early test pieces, other aspects (e.g. instrumentation, texture and colouration) are more contemporary, as befits a composer writing in the 21st century. However, the percussion requirements are fairly modest by today’s standards, and are similar to those used in the works of that period.
Of Distant Memories is one continuous movement and opens with a rather slow, broodingly ‘Romantic’ melody, which becomes the main reference point of the entire work. The mood then changes and the music bursts into life, firstly with a fast and virtuosic scherzo, then with an heroic march. The mood changes yet again, and we are now transported into the world of English modal folk song, with thinly veiled scoring supporting lyrical solos for all the main soloists in the band. Linking all these sections together are references to the opening tune, transformed and varied each time. The fast music returns, eventually leading to a majestic recapitulation of the opening melody. A triumphant coda brings the work to a fitting climax.
The work was jointly commissioned by the Black Dyke Band and the Worshipful Company of Musicians (with funding generously provided by John Iles, grandson of the great John Henry Iles, the impresario without whom there would be no such repertoire or tradition). It was premiered at the RNCM Festival of Brass in January 2013, and then used as the test piece for the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in October 2013, The winning band on that occasion was the Cory Band from South Wales.
© Edward Gregson 2013
The first original test-piece for brass band (Labour and Love by Percy Fletcher) was composed in 1913 for the National Brass Band Championships, held at London’s Crystal Palace.
For the centenary of that event in 2013, I decided to write a work that pays tribute to some of those early test-pieces. The list of the composers is a distinguished one of course, including well-known names such as Holst, Ireland, Elgar, and Howells, alongside other less familiar ones. The brass band tradition owes much to them, for through their music they established a truly homogenous ‘British’ brass band sound that has spread throughout many parts of the world. That tradition flourishes today and remains important for today’s composers, even if their musical language is far removed from that of their predecessors.
Of Distant Memories pays homage to these composers and their music, and in the process summons up a kind of subconscious memory bank of the musical languages, styles and forms used by them. Although conceived in the form of a ‘traditional’ tone poem, reflecting the form used in those early test pieces, other aspects (e.g. instrumentation, texture and colouration) are more contemporary, as befits a composer writing in the 21st century. However, the percussion requirements are fairly modest by today’s standards, and are similar to those used in the works of that period.
Of Distant Memories is one continuous movement and opens with a rather slow, broodingly ‘Romantic’ melody, which becomes the main reference point of the entire work. The mood then changes and the music bursts into life, firstly with a fast and virtuosic scherzo, then with an heroic march. The mood changes yet again, and we are now transported into the world of English modal folk song, with thinly veiled scoring supporting lyrical solos for all the main soloists in the band. Linking all these sections together are references to the opening tune, transformed and varied each time. The fast music returns, eventually leading to a majestic recapitulation of the opening melody. A triumphant coda brings the work to a fitting climax.
The work was jointly commissioned by the Black Dyke Band and the Worshipful Company of Musicians (with funding generously provided by John Iles, grandson of the great John Henry Iles, the impresario without whom there would be no such repertoire or tradition). It was premiered at the RNCM Festival of Brass in January 2013, and then used as the test piece for the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in October 2013, The winning band on that occasion was the Cory Band from South Wales.
© Edward Gregson 2013
Media
Of Distant Memories
Scores
Preview the score
Reviews
Of Distant Memories’ is a unique, masterfully created tone poem of adaptive test piece facadism.
It is a remarkable achievement; a familiar, yet distinctive recall of reminiscences from the midst’s of contesting time, written in a contemporary musical language firmly linked in context to its inspiration.
Majesty and mystery sit hand in hand with empathy and emotion.
As a result there is an immense generosity of spirit about ‘Of Distant Memories' (Music in an Olden Style) that captures the very essence of what great brass band writing is all about.
The composer has repaid his personal debt of gratitude to the giants of our musical past with a work that places him firmly in their historic company.
It is a remarkable achievement; a familiar, yet distinctive recall of reminiscences from the midst’s of contesting time, written in a contemporary musical language firmly linked in context to its inspiration.
Majesty and mystery sit hand in hand with empathy and emotion.
As a result there is an immense generosity of spirit about ‘Of Distant Memories' (Music in an Olden Style) that captures the very essence of what great brass band writing is all about.
The composer has repaid his personal debt of gratitude to the giants of our musical past with a work that places him firmly in their historic company.
10th October 2013
The opening statement features a typical brass band interval and the colourful scoring brings out the horns and baritones as the essential heart of the authentic British brass band sound. It has all the familiar features of formative brass band writing; the running triplets, the bass tread, the dramatic outburst from the trombones, even a 'signature' time signature in the 12/8 scherzo, all brought together through exceptional compositional craftmanship.
1st February 2013
The promise of a new work from Edward Gregson to close the concert was something to look forward to and "From Distant Memories" did not disappoint. Taking its influence from the works of a bygone era, it has instant classic written all over it. Interestingly, the music also seems to be a welcome return of Gregson's elegant early works, it was certainly well received.
1st February 2013
a superb compositional homage to the styles and inspirations of the iconic test piece composers of the movement's past. This was Gregson as part pastiche craftsman, part contemporary modernist, part inventive, warm hearted fan, in a work that expertly satisfied the taste buds of the traditional and the original palette in equal parts. It will be heard time and again to be sure.
Discography
Symphony – The Music of Edward Gregson Volume V
- LabelDoyen
- Catalogue NumberDOY CD319
- ConductorNicholas and Robert Childs
- EnsembleBlack Dyke Band
- SoloistBrett Baker (trombone)
- Released12th October 2013
