The set works that will test the bands at the 2022 London and Cheltenham finals of the National Championships of Great Britain, have been announced by organisers Kapitol Promotions.

Championship Section:

Peter Graham's latest major work, 'Hyperlink' will be performed by the 20 contenders at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

Commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2022, it will be premiered at the organisation's forthcoming Summer Course.

The band will also be featured in performance as part of the pre-results entertainment at the Albert Hall contest.

The linked three movement work pays homage to significant celebrations marked in 2002 — including the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Vaughan Williams and the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Technology

The title refers to the composer's technology-led search for information to link the different strands of associated inspiration — including the NYBBGB founder Dr Denis Wright.

The first movement 'The Voice of Jupiter' links the famous Royal Albert Hall Henry Wills organ to that of JS Bach and his iconic 'Toccata in D minor' through an opening seven note chord sound cluster.

The material which follows is based upon the Germanic notation of the Bach name which is manipulated in a 12 note matrix.

The second movement 'Remember Me' pays homage to the Salvation Army composer Ray Steadman-Allen as well as Vaughan Williams, whilst the 'Vivat' finale takes the form of a short fantasy upon Hubert Parry's coronation anthem 'I Was Glad'.

Delighted

Speaking about the use of the work, Philip Morris, Managing Director of Kapitol Promotions Ltd, told 4BR: "When the opportunity arose for a brand-new Peter Graham work to be used at the Championship Section Final, we were delighted.

Peter's reputation as a wonderful compositional voice for our medium is fully justified, and we are thrilled that 'Hyperlink' pays homage to the Hall itself, as well as our patron HRH Her Majesty the Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year.

Our pre-Results Gala Concert featuring the fantastic young musicians of the NYBBGB will be an added treat, and we are glad to support the future of brass banding in this manner."

Significance

In response, Mark Bromley, National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain CEO, Mark Bromley added: "The commissioning of 'Hyperlink' and its choice as the test piece for the Championship Section Final is of huge significance for the organisation.

Performing at the Royal Albert Hall and as part of such a wonderful occasion will also be a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians and one everyone is looking forward to."

When the opportunity arose for a brand-new Peter Graham work to be used at the Championship Section Final, we were delightedKapitol Promotions

Cheltenham test pieces:

It has also been announced that works by James Curnow, Darrol Barry, Joseph Horovitz and Frederik Schjelderup will be used at the Cheltenham Section 1 — 4 National Finals in September.

First Section:

In continuing the aim of the Kapitol Music Panel to utilise music that provides a stern but enjoyable challenge to competing bands, James Curnow's 'Trittico' will provide the test for the competitors in the First Section.

Commissioned for the 1988 Swiss National Championships it was also used as the set-work for the 1989 European Championships in Norway. It has remained a popular contest work ever since — ultised at the Grand Shield, Pontins, WMC, North American and Swedish National Championships.

The composition is presented as a set of three extended variations on the American shaped-note hymn 'Consolation' using mood and motif as different avenues of exploration — including an aleatoric section before the final energetic close.

Second Section:

A 2011 concert work entitled 'Ghosts, Goblins, Witches & Wizards' by the late Darrol Barry will provide the challenge for the bands in the Second Section.

The four movement, 11-minute work was recorded by Cory Band on a CD entitled, 'The Welsh Heroes' under the baton of Dr Robert Childs who is a member of the Kapitol Music Panel.

Third Section:

The contribution to the brass band movement of composer Joseph Horovitz who died earlier this year is made with the selection of his elegant 'Sinfonietta' in the Third Section.

It was the composer's first major work for the brass band medium. Written in 1970, it was later rescored for orchestra. In three movements — the first 'Allegro' is in sonata form, the second a variant based on an unknown hymn tune the composer later said he "heard in a dream". The finale is an uplifting rondo.

The work has been previously used at the Regional Championships at Second and Third Section level as well as at various national championship contests.

Fourth Section:

The connection between the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain organisation is further strengthened by the selection of 'New Beginnings' by Norwegian composer Frederik Schjelderup, in the Fourth Section.

The work was commissioned by the organisation and was first performed by The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain in 2021.

According to the composer the three section work describes, "in sonic terms the effect that energy can create, both musically and emotionally".

An energetic, joyful first movement is followed by a slower, romantic middle section and a vibrant finale which encapsulates a fugato which passes the melodies around the band before reuniting for a rousing close.

Set-works:

Championship Section: Hyperlink (Peter Graham)
First Section: Trittico (James Curnow)
Second Section: Ghosts, Goblins, Witches & Wizards (Darrol Barry)
Third Section: Sinfonietta (Joseph Horovitz)
Fourth Section: New Beginnings (Frederik Schjelderup)

The works can be purchased through all leading music suppliers.