Composed in 1984, Dances and Arias reflects Edward Gregson's career long interest in dance forms, rhythms and styles. Used as the test piece for the 1984 National Brass Band Championships  of Great Britain, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The work brought new innovations and fresh challengers to the contest stage, particularly in the expanded percussion department. The dynamic opening of dissonant fanfares leads to a number of melancholy arias and lively dances. the final dance brings all the rhythms and energy in this excellent performance to a rousing conclusion.

The Cornet Concerto was written for the Black Dyke Band's Principal cornet Richard Marshall, and premiered at the European Brass Band Festival Gala Concert  at Lille, France, on 30 April 2016. This virtuoso three movement work - Sonata, Intermezzo (Of More Memories) and Rondo - exposes the full range of the instrument. In this premiere studio recording Richard Marshall produced a wonderful performance of concerto. Displaying superb technique along with exquisite lyrical warmth. This is some of the finest cornet playing that I have heard. Needless to say Richard was expertly supported by Black Dyke Band.

The Four Etudes are short items each depicting differing moods. The first three are based on a set of piano pieces dating from 1982, with titles Canticle, Dance and Encentrique, borrowed from a 1928 work by Stravinsky. The fourth Etude, entitled Aleppo  reflects the violence and human tragedy of the events in that Syrian city.  This premiere studio recording of the four items are conducted by Edward Gregson, who coaxes a lovely sound from the band.

Written 1974 for the Butlins Youth Brass Band Championships, Patterns is announced by the trombones  and answered by the cornets which sets the work s style and foundation. There are lively dialogues between the sections with the final exuberant dance ending this delightful piece in a flourish.

This new and expanded edition of The Trumpets of the Angels from the original 13 minutes to a 21 minute epic, was prepared for Black Dyke Band to perform at the 2016 European Brass Band Championships. The original organ part is replaced by the singing of the Kyrie Eleison which accompanies a beautifully played flugel horn and baritone obligati. There is also the addition of the seven trumpets (the seventh trumpet is played most strikingly by Gareth Small, Black Dyke's 2016 Artist in Association, a part that includes a most demanding and extended cadenza). The final section builds towards a triumphant conclusion with a full - voice choral, over which the seventh trumpet is heard on high. This work is a tour de force and requires a band of the calibre of Black Dyke to do it justice and by any standards they have produced a magnificent performance.

This very enjoyable album comes complete with  informative programme notes by Paul Hindmarsh and potted CVs of Edward Gregson, Professor Nicholas Childs and Black Dyke Band .

Tracks:

1. Dances & Arias - [13.18]

2 - 4. Cornet Concerto

    Cornet Soloist Richard Marshall - A Studio Premiere Recording

    i) Sonata - [7.32]                                                         

   ii) Intermezzo (...Of More Distant Memories) - [6.43]

  iii) Rondo - [4.10]

5 - 8. Four Etudes - Premiere Recording *

    i) Canticle - [1.54]

   ii) Dance - [1.44]

  iii) Encentrique - [1.43]

  vi) Aleppo - [4.05]

9. Patterns - [5.16]

10.The Trumpets of Angels  - [21.02]

     Trumpet Soloist  Gareth Small

* Conducted by the composer

Sydney Swancott