There will be a rare opportunity to hear some of the finest arrangements of the legendary Alexander Owen and Charles Godfrey in London later this month as the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Brass Band performs Owen’s epic transcription of Wagner’s 'Die Walkure' and Godfrey’s selection from Humperdink’s 'Hansel and Gretel'.

Even rarer

The free concert, conducted by Chris Houlding will take place on 12th November at the Guildhall and will also see the band perform an even rarer work by the Australian pioneer Hugh McMahon, of Puccini’s opera 'Tosca'.

Greatest achievements

Owen’s transcriptions remain some of the greatest achievements of the Victorian banding era, whilst Godfrey’s talents saw him produce arrangements for use at the British Open Championships almost unbroken from 1872 until 1921, including the Humperdink arrangement of 1895.

Owen’s transcriptions remain some of the greatest achievements of the Victorian banding era4BR

Pioneer

Like Owen, McMahon is generally recognised as pioneer of the Brass Band movement in Australia. Born in 1870, in New South Wales, he became a first a celebrated cornet soloist, known as 'The Emperor of the Cornet' before in turn becoming an even more celebrated conductor, adjudicator and composer.