*
banner

Higgins writes new work for 2020 Proms

Composer Gavin Higgins has been commissioned for a third time to write a new work for the iconic Proms season.

Gavin Higgins
  It will be the third time Gavin Higgins has been asked to write for the Proms season

Composer Gavin Higgins has been commissioned to write a brand new work for the 2020 Proms season.

It will be the third time that the award winning composer has written for the world famous series of concerts, and will see him being only one of a select group commissioned to write a major work for this, the Proms 125th year.

Rough Voices

'Rough Voices', follows 'Der Aufstand' (2012) and 'Velocity' (2014) and will form part of an 'American Proms' concert performed by the National Orchestra of Wales under the baton of Ryan Bancroft to be broadcast from the Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff on Tuesday 8th September.

His 8 minute work will form part of a programme that will include works by Bohuslav Martinu, John Adams, Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland.

'Rough Voices' is loosely inspired by the poem 'Tough' written by the critically acclaimed Manchester poet Tony Walsh (aka Longfella).

It also specifically responds by the request by the BBC commissioners to reflect on the effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Honour

Speaking exclusively to 4BR, Gavin Higgins said: "It is always a great honour to be commissioned to write for the Proms and the opportunity it brings. It is thrilling to know that a worldwide audience is able to hear such a wide variety of music performed by the world's greatest artists and ensembles.

This year I was asked to write something that linked to the pandemic, and Tony Walsh's poem gave me a very powerful starting point. I thought a great deal about how working class people and especially those who live in and on the margins of poverty have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19."

He added: "I also wanted to reflect on the problems of diversity in classical music and how the cultural landscape is so much poorer not hearing from and embracing these voices.

The piece is therefore something of a clarion call of battle cry to those 'Rough Voices' that are never, or so rarely, heard."

I also wanted to reflect on the problems of diversity in classical music and how the cultural landscape is so much poorer not hearing from and embracing these voicesGavin Higgins

Scream

With that in mind Gavin revealed that the work opens with a metaphorical scream.

"It's a musical scream of anguish, despair and frustration — one that demands to be heard, especially at this time from communities hardest hit by a worldwide catastrophe."

The former tenor horn player retains a close musical association with Welsh champion Tredegar who were part of the world premiere of the ground-breaking production 'Dark Arteries' performed by the Rambert Ballet in 2015.

Brass works

He has also written a number of acclaimed major works for the brass band medium, including, 'Trample, Destroy, As Swiftly She' and 'Prophecies' both premiered at the European Brass Band Championships, as well as 'Fanfare & Love Songs', 'Ivory Ghosts' and 'A Forest Symphony'.

His Trombone Concerto, 'The Book of Miracles' won the Orchestral Category award at the 2019 Ivors Composer Awards.

Broadcast

'Rough Voices' will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and live-streamed to BBC I Player from Cardiff on Tuesday 8th September (7.30pm).

The 2020 Proms season will be broadcast in a variety of different ways due to the Covid-19 restrictions, including archive performances as well as live performances from selected venues across the UK.

To find out more go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

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    


Rodney Newton

80th birthday concert celebration for Newton

July 19 • Rodney Newton will enjoy a musical celebration of his birthday this weekend in Cambridge.


jhs instruments

JHS Ltd set to close

July 19 • The leading independent distributor and suppliers of Odyssey instrument brand set to close after 60 years of trading.


FodensLovatt

Lovatt joins Foden's for Regent Hall pre-National concert

July 19 • Trumpet star Mike Lovatt will reconnect with Foden's Band for their pre-National preview concert at Regent Hall.


Rooms for groups

Sold out signs up in Cheltenham

July 19 • Hotel demand from National qualifiers mean sold out signs are posted in Cheltenham.


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Longridge Band

July 21 • Due to ill health, Longridge Band invite applications for a SOLO HORN. We are a friendly, committed band, who enjoy a good balance of concerts and contests throughout the year. We rehearse 10 minutes from Jct 31A of the M6, on Wednesday and Friday evening


NORTH LAKES BRASS

July 20 • North Lakes Brass are seeking a CONDUCTOR with the drive to take our friendly band into the 2nd section. . We are different from most contesting bands as we rehearse just once a week (Wed), have 2 full band concerts & 4-5 contests per year.


Rushden Town Band

July 18 • Second Trombone vacancy. A friendly Midlands 1st Section Band, Rushden are looking for a Second Trombone player to come and join us. Great repertoire and concerts plus contests twice per year. Every other year, the band goes on tour.


Jonathan Corry

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd