Edward Gregson 75 in 2020

In just under one year’s time, on July 23, the British composer Edward Gregson turns 75 and already preparations are in place to celebrate his career of over-fifty years as a composer. With more than 100 works written for orchestra, brass ensembles, chamber players and choir to date, he continues to work apace, writing an oboe concerto and viola concerto for the new year. Born in Sunderland, he has a strong connection with the north of England and longstanding creative partnerships with the BBC Philharmonic and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (RNCM). His works for band and wind ensemble as well as his concertos for flute (2010) saxophone (2006) clarinet (1994),  trumpet (1983), trombone (1979) and tuba (1976) have made him an internationally renowned name in the world of wind and brass, both professional and amateur, from Tokyo to Indiana. 

BBC Philharmonic | Tchaikovsky, Gregson & Berlioz | February 8

Gregson’s music fizzes with rhythmic vitality and courses with an optimism that is rarely found in contemporary scores. When looking for other composers’ work in which to put Gregson’s in context there is perhaps no better starting point than his 2010 work for clarinet and piano, Tributes. Each movement is dedicated to a composer who has not only written significantly for that instrument but also who Gregson greatly admires. Francis Poulenc, Gerald Finzi, Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen and Béla Bartók, each mirrored in this specific work, are all composers whose influence can be felt right across his, output.

The Music of Edward Gregson: Interviews from the London Brass recording sessions

Events already announced for the coming year are the US premiere of Gregson’s cello concerto A Song for Chris in Arizona; the world premiere of his Oboe Concerto for Jennifer Galloway and the BBC Philharmonic on February 8 in Leeds; and a series of performances by the supergroup of the UK’s principal brass players, London Brass, to launch their portrait CD of Gregson works on Chandos - recording release in April 2020, tour dates to be announced. 
 

Gregson: Key Works

We have offered just a few of Gregson’s key works with links to Spotify and digital scores for your discovery and hope that you will join us in celebrating this milestone for one of England’s most highly-regarded composers. 

Works for Orchestra

Goddess (2009) 8’
string orchestra
spotify | view score 

Concerto for Orchestra 
(1983) 22'
3(pic)3(ca)3(bcl)3(cbn)/4.3.2
+btbn.1/timp.3perc/hp.pf/str
spotify | view scoreDream Song (2010) 20’
4.3.2+Ebcl+bcl.3(III=cbn)/4431/
hp.cel/timp/5perc/str
spotify | view score

Saxophone Concerto (2006)
24’
3(pic).2(ca).2+bcl.2/4330/
4perc/pf/str
spotify | view score

Tuba Concerto (1978) 18’
2222/4.2.2+btbn.0/timp.
2perc/str OR brass band
spotify | view score

Full list of orchestral works

Full list of works for wind and brass