*
banner

Higgins premiere to feature with Hardenberger in Wales

The latest world premiere by composer Gavin Higgins will be featured in a double header concert in Wales alongside trumpet star Hakan Hardenberger.

Higgins
  The work by Gavin Higgins will be premiered in February in Wales

The latest work from the Novello award winning composer Gavin Higgins is set to be given its world premiere in Cardiff next month.

'A Monstrous Little Suite' will feature in a programme with the National Orchestra of Wales alongside Shostakovich's '6th Symphony' and Hakan Hardenberger performing Mieczyslaw Weinberg's 'Trumpet Concerto'.

Conducted by Ryan Bancroft, the performances will be given at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff on Friday 14th February (7.30pm), and reprised the following day at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall (7.30pm.

Opera

Higgins' 'A Monstrous Little Suite' is based on the music from his acclaimed opera score to 'The Monstrous Child' — a tale of Hel, the half goddess, half corpse daughter of Loki, the Norse God of the Dead.

The five sections highlight elements of the operatic work -from the opening 'Slither, Plop, Out I Come!', to the closing 'Stop Fighting! Or I'll Smash Your Skulls!'.

Busy time

It also comes at a busy high-profile time for the Forest of Dean composer, with his Novello Award winning French Horn Concerto being performed this week in Oslo by Ben Goldscheider, whilst his major brass band work 'So Spoke Albion' is due to be performed at the forthcoming Norwegian Championships in Bergen.

Weinberg's playful, suspenseful 'Trumpet Concerto' written in 1967 was given its world premiere the following year by the great Timofey Dokshitser in Moscow. With shadows of darkness, to a hobbling waltz, it quotes music from Bizet's 'Carmen' to Stravinsky's 'Petrushka', Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' to Mahler's '5th Symphony'.

Higgins' 'A Monstrous Little Suite' is based on the music from his acclaimed opera score to 'The Monstrous Child' — a tale of Hel, the half goddess, half corpse daughter of Loki, the Norse God of the Dead4BR

Tickets:


Cardiff
Friday 14th February
https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ewp4mb

Swansea
Saturday 15th February
BBC NOW 2024-25 Season Shostakovich 6 with Ryan Bancroft — BBC National Orchestra of Wales — BBC

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd