*
banner

Radio: Time for Brass

More great music from across the waves on the Isle of Man from Ian Cottier.

Cottier
 

3rd October:

Something a bit different this week as we take a whistle-stop tour of
continental Europe.

Starting with Goff Richards's 'Continental Caprice', our journey takes us to Italy, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Norway,
Greece, France and Sweden.

1. Continental Caprice
Goff Richards
BNFL

2. Capriccio Italien
Tchaikowsky arr.Denis Wright
Black Dyke

3. Rusalka's Song to the Moon
Dvorak arr. Alan Fernie
Black Dyke
Soloist: Michelle Ibbotson

4. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Liszt arr. William Rimmer
Kings of Brass

5. Espana
Chabrier arr. Gordon Langford
Black Dyke

6. In the Hall of the Mountain King
Grieg arr.Bill Geldard
Fodens
Soloist: Dean Morley

7. Zorba's Dance
Mikis Theodorakis arr Goff Richards
Cory

8. April in Paris
Duke & Hamburg arr. Mark Freeh
Rigid Containers
Soloist: Darren Harris

9. Swedish Hymn
arr. Peter Graham
Hendon S.A. Band
Quartet: David & Robert Childs, Steven Miles & David Nesbitt


10th October:

After our continental excursion last week, tonight's music is from much nearer home.

The English counties have a wonderful wealth of music, from folk melodies centuries old to newly minted compositions by contemporary
composers.

This week's programme concerns itself mainly, though not entirely with the former and ranges from north-east to south-west and most places in
between.


17th October:

This week's programme celebrates the work of one of brass banding's major figures, Eric Ball.

As a conductor and band trainer he had few equals. On a number of unforgettable occasions it was my privilege to play under his direction and it was a revelation.

Tonight's programme features a few tracks where Eric Ball is the conductor, but it is a sincere attempt to encapsulate in just an hour the range and diversity of arguably the greatest composer and arranger of music for the brass band of the 20th Century.


1. Star Lake
Eric Ball
CWS Glasgow Band

2. Prelude to "Hansel and Gretel
Humperdinck arr. Eric Ball
Black Dyke

3. Clear Skies
Eric Ball
International Staff Band
Soloist: David Dawes

4. St Anne Fugue
JS Bach arr. Eric Ball
Virtuosi Brass Band

5. Hold Thou My Hand
Eric Ball
International Staff Band

6. 2nd Rhapsody on Negro Spirituals
Eric Ball
Black Dyke

7. Prelude to a Comedy
Eric Ball
Virtuosi Brass Band

8. Imperial March
Elgar arr. Eric Ball
Virtuosi Brass Band

9. Softly Sounds the Little Bell
arr. Eric Ball
Brighouse & Rastrick

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    


Gray

Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure

March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.


Brass Band Week

Banding campaigns return this summer

March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.


gALASHILS

Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships

March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.


BBW

March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now

March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Thornton Cleveleys Band

March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd