´óÏó´«Ã½

Edward Gregson talks to Donald Macleod about his early setbacks and successes.

All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We’ll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain’s musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers.

Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms’s music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain’s major musical conservatoires.

In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain’s music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush’s ever-present political agenda shouldn’t detract from the intrinsic quality of his music.

In today’s programme we focus on some significant moments in Edward Gregson’s early career including his upbringing within the Salvation Army, an early knock-back from an influential conductor, and his first forays into the world of brass bands.

Gregson: Concerto for Orchestra (III. Toccata)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra,
Douglas Bostock, conductor

Gregson: Quintet for Brass, (1st mvt)
London Brass

Gregson: Music for Chamber Orchestra (I. Lento maestoso)
´óÏó´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Gregson: Connotations
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Elgar Howarth, conductor

Gregson: Six Little Pieces for piano (Nos. 1-4)
Murray McLachlan, piano

Gregson: The Kings go Forth (I. The Church)
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
James Gourlay, conductor

Producer: Chris Taylor