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Roberts set for new stained glass triptych

A major new work by composer Stephen Roberts will be given a world premiere in Birmingham next weekend — inspired by a trio of the greatest stained glass windows of worship.

York Minster
  The work is inspired by a trio of magnificent windows in great places of worship

Stephen Roberts will conduct the premiere of his new work, 'Triptych' for brass and organ, at the Elgar Bramall Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham on Saturday 10th March (7.30pm).

The substantial 20-minute work is in three movements and is a musical expression of the stained glass windows of three famous places of worship: Notre Dame in Paris, Chappelle du Rosaire in Venice and York Minster with its Great East Window (above)

Brass and organ

The twelve-piece Birmingham Symphonic Brass will be joined by organist Nick Wearne, who will be performing on the recently installed Marc Garnier organ.

The programme also includes works by Giovanni Gabrieli, Vivaldi and Edward MacDowell, as well as choral works by John Rutter, Elgar and Vaughan Williams.

USA visit

Stephen has recently returned from a successful trip to the USA, which featured a series of premieres for narrator and chamber ensemble at the newly formed Guliford Festival in Connecticut, New England.

The pieces, with words by the composer, are designed for youngsters of all ages and revisit Aesop's famous fables and other tales from different countries.

The film and stage actor Steve Routman narrated the composer's scripts and the two were delighted to find out that they are now sporting matching beards!

The 20-minute work is in three movements and is a musical expression of the stained glass windows of three famous places of worship: Notre Dame in Paris, Chappelle du Rosaire in Venice and York Minster with its Great East Window4BR

Yale University

During the trip Stephen also visited Yale University to run through a selection of his works with the Yale Wind Band, including his newly adapted version for concert band of 'The Snaring of the Sun', which is the B section test piece for the Australian National Championships to be held later this month in Melbourne.

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