The organisers of the British Open Brass Band Championships have announced the test-piece, as well as confirming the continuing support of Besson, for this year’s event, which will be held in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 12 September.
Exemplary
Martin Mortimer commented to 4BR: "The continuing support of Besson is welcomed, particularly in the current economic climate. Besson's world wide reputation is well respected and its support for British and European brass banding is exemplary."
He continued: "This year, the ‘Open’ has set for the first time a test-piece by a composer from outside the Commonwealth — 'Titan’s Progress' by the Austrian composer Hermann Pallhuber."
Titan's Progress is a dramatic and technically demanding work that is capable of testing the ability of any band in the worldMartin Mortimer
Leading
Hermann Pallhuber has become a leading authority on the wind band in Austria and his first contest work for brass band, incorporates themes from Mahler’s 1st Symphony, has already been heard as Brass Band Oberösterreich’s own-choice selection at the 2007 European Championships, as well as being the set test-piece at the 2008 Swiss Championships.
Dramatic
Martin continued: "Titan's Progress is a dramatic and technically demanding work that is capable of testing the ability of any band in the world, and it has already been acclaimed by a number of our leading conductors and adjudicators.
Enjoyed
He concluded: "It's creation is an encouraging indication of the increasing interest in the British brass band amongst musicians in the German speaking nations, as well as other European countries, and we feel sure that the piece will be enjoyed both by bands and audience at this year's ‘Open’."
Ticket
Tickets will go on sale at the Symphony Hall Box Office on Tuesday 12 May.
Titan on DVD
