Edward Gregson has written a poignant composition to mark the UK leaving the European Union at 11.00pm this evening (Friday 31st January).
Marked with the use of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' — which is the EU Anthem, but also right at the end, two tunes from 'Last Night at the Proms' — 'Land of Hope and Glory' and 'Jerusalem', he told BBC News that the brief was to write something that was "a middle of the road view"of the ending of the UKs membership.
Not too joyful, not too sad
Speaking to the BBC he said that the work was "not too joyful, not too sad", and that "I hope it makes the point that we will remain friends and still have very important relationships with our colleagues across the water."
Edward actually wrote a celebratory work in 1973, entitled, 'Fanfare for Europe' when Britain joined the then European Economic Community.
Unlike this evening, the entry on January 1st 1973 was reported by The Guardian newspaper with Britain passing "...peacefully into Europe at midnight last night without any special celebrations. It was difficult to tell that anything of importance had occurred..."
Edward actually wrote a celebratory work in 1973, entitled, 'Fanfare for Europe' when Britain joined the then European Economic Community4BR
New work
Edward Gregson's latest major work for the brass band medium, 'The World Rejoicing' (Variations on a Lutheran Chorale) is a joint commission between the British Open and the National Championship organisers of The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway, and will receive its world premiere at Symphony Hall in September.
