London Brass, Rumon Gamba - Music of the Angels (2020) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Edward Gregson began composing from a very early age, and his extensive output covers a wide range of musical sound-worlds. Music for film, television, and theatre sits alongside choral pieces and works for full orchestra. Having played in a brass band as a teenager, he has shown a special affinity in his compositions for brass throughout his career – both for brass band and for symphonic brass, which we celebrate with this new album. His seminal Quintet for Brass, Three Dance Episodes, and Aria for Philip mark his connection to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble.

The album includes Fanfare for PL and Fanfare for a New Era, complementing his two largest-scale works for brass: the Symphony in two movements, and Music of the Angels. Virtuosic playing from London Brass under the direction of Rumon Gamba makes this an essential tribute to Gregson in his seventy-fifth year.

Tracklist:
1. Fanfare for a New Era (2:52)
2. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): I. Toccata (5:24)
3. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): IIa. Theme (1:49)
4. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): IIb. Var. 1, Fast and Mercurial (1:36)
5. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): IIc. Var. 2, Strict Tempo, Menacingly (1:30)
6. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): IId. Var. 3, As the Beginning, but Serenely (4:27)
7. Symphony in 2 Movements (Version for Symphonic Brass & Percussion): IIe. Var. 4, Fast, with Energy (3:29)
8. 3 Dance Episodes: No. 1, Molto allegro (2:31)
9. 3 Dance Episodes: No. 2, Andante con espressione (4:07)
10. 3 Dance Episodes: No. 3, Vivace (2:49)
11. Flourish for an Occasion (0:58)
12. Fanfare for P.L. (1:41)
13. Brass Quintet: I. Andante sostenuto (5:44)
14. Brass Quintet: II. Allegro, molto ritmico (5:09)
15. Aria for Philip (Revised 2019 Version) (4:36)
16. Music of the Angels: I. Slow and Sombre (5:39)
17. Music of the Angels: II. Slowly, with a Sense of Desolation (2:28)
18. Music of the Angels: III. Faster (0:51)
19. Music of the Angels: IV. Cadenza (2:11)
20. Music of the Angels: V. Fast, with Energy (5:28)