BBC Radio 3 showcases RNCM Festival of Brass

Highlights of last weekend's RNCM Festival of Brass from Manchester have been broadcast this week.

Friday, 30 January 2015

Following a memorable RNCM Festival of Brass in Manchester, BBC Radio 3 has been broadcasting highlights this week.

At the end of a live classical concert each evening from around the UK, between Tuesday and Friday, brass enthusiasts have had the opportunity to hear selected highlights from the Festival which honoured the 70th & 80th birthdays of Professor Edward Gregson and Elgar Howarth respectively.

All of the bands were introduced by the Artistic Director of the Festival, Paul Hindmarsh.

Dyke on Tuesday

The opening concert last Friday evening featured the reigning 'Double' champions, Black Dyke under the direction of Prof. Nicholas Childs.

Their selected works on Tuesday featured Richard Marshall as soloist in Elgar Howarth's 'Sonatina for Cornet and Band', conducted by the composer and Prof Edward Gregson's 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'.

Cory's Wednesday

Twenty four hours later, it was the turn of Cory under Philip Harper to be showcased, with three works played: Hans Werner Henze's 'Ragtimes and Habaneras', Frank Bridge's 'Lament' arranged by Paul Hindmarsh and finally the MD's own composition, 'Lionheart'.

Thursday & Friday Grimethorpe nights

On Thursday and Friday, it was the turn of Grimethorpe Colliery and Dr Robert Childs to be in the musical spotlight in what was the final concert of the Festival.

The reigning Brass in Concert champion was heard playing one of Gregson's latest works, 'Symphony in Two Movements' and a classic of the repertoire in Percy Fletcher's 'Epic Symphony' on Thursday evening.

On Friday, Radio 3 broadcast Howarth's 'Cantabile for John Fletcher' composed as a tribute to his friend and tuba virtuoso, performed by Michael Dodd and Phillipe Schwartz, followed by Howarth himself conducting his own composition, 'American Dream'.

Howarth in conversation

Whilst the Festival was taking place, Radio 3's popular magazine programme, 'Music Matters' talked to Elgar Howarth in a fascinating interview.

Black Dyke, Cory & Grimethorpe have been featured in highlights from a memorable RNCM Festival this week, whilst Elgar Howarth was interviewed last weekend in conjunction with the Festival on the magazine programme, 'Music Matters4BR

Listen

To listen to the broadcasts which should be available for 30 days from the original date of transmission, click on the links below:

Elgar Howarth interview on Music Matters

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0505jhm — go to 27 minutes approximately

Black Dyke

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0506lny — go to 1hr 50 minutes approximately

Cory

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0506m6n — go to 2hrs 01 minutes approximately

Grimethorpe Colliery (Thursday)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0506nvq — go to 1hr 54 minutes approximately

Grimethorpe Colliery (Friday)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0506p6q — go to 2hrs 16 minutes approximately

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us