*
banner

Higgins enjoys Miracle performance

Composer Gavin Higgins has enjoyed the acclaim that has come his way for his new 'Trombone Concerto' — with the spotlight ready to shine even more brightly with his new opera premiere this week.

Higgins
  Gavin Higgins has been enjoying the spotlight and the critical acclaim...

Composer Gavin Higgins is enjoying being in the musical spotlight at the moment, especially with the high profile premiere of his new opera 'The Monstrous Child' on the immediate horizon at the Royal Opera House in London.

Acclaim

However, before that event this Thursday (21st February), he has also been able to enjoy the critical acclaim that has come his way following the first performance of his new 'Trombone Concerto' performed by Helen Vollam and the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Vedernikov.

"It's been a very busy time,"he said between coughs as he recovers from a recent bout of the flu. "I couldn't have asked for a better get-well remedy though than Helen's brilliant performance at the Barbican. She was amazing."

Scintillating

Vollam gave a scintillating performance of 'Book of Miracles' — a work inspired by the pages of an illuminated 16th century manuscript packed full of incredible mythical monsters, comets, eclipses and mock suns called parhelia.

The critics were certainly impressed, with Roy Westbrook writing for the influential Backtrack.com saying; "For all the portentousness that (the title) suggests, Higgins never forgets that the concerto form has a playful element, at least some of the time in a fascinating work which has plenty of variety within its sense of unity."

Meanwhile, 'Classical Source' called it "extremely impressive", and a "perfect vehicle for Helen Vollam (BBCSO principal), her trombone ideally suiting the declamatory role."

Writing in The Times newspaper, Neil Fisher described it as: "a well-crafted soundscape and a welcome showcase for the bronzed tone and even phrasing of BBC Symphony Orchestra's principal trombonist, Helen Vollam."

'Classical Source' called it "extremely impressive", and "a perfect vehicle for Helen Vollam (BBCSO principal), her trombone ideally suiting the declamatory role."4BR

Miraculous signs

'Book of Miracles' depicts in vivid detail, miraculous signs, natural catastrophes and Christian myths — including stories from the Book of Revelation, drawn into four movements — from the opening 'Comet' and following 'Parhelia' to an extended cadenza section entitled 'Eclipse' and the formidable finale 'Revelation'.

Gaving told 4BR: "The BBC approached me to write a new work and I felt a substantial trombone concerto was perfect — especially with Helen Vollam in mind. It took me about six months to write and working closely with Helen meant that I could create a work that has an emphasis on the instrument's lyrical, cantabile qualities.

The four movements vary greatly in style, but the ethos is one of expression, warmth, wit and momentum. It's about the feeling people would have had about seeing the imagery in the book for the first time. It's nearly 500 years old but it could have been written and illustrated yesterday."

Performance to cherish

He added: "The response to Helen's performance was great — especially from what seemed to by a fan-club of fellow professional players who were in the audience. It really was a performance to cherish."

You can hear the performance at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/n5c4mf

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    


pRESTOCDS

Presto Music Collection: Six more classic CDs

July 8 • You can continue to build your classic brass collection of CDs with 4BR's partnership with Presto Music.


Youth Fest

Brass sounds fill the air at Youth Fest in Barnet

July 8 • BBE's 'Brass Fest' event saw over 200 young players provide fantastic entertainment and great music making in Barnet.


Steve Phillips

Central England lead for Phillips

July 8 • The experienced Steve Phillips has become the new Musical Director of Brass Band of Central England.


Anthony Smith

New solo euphonium at Cory

July 8 • Anthony Smith becomes the new solo euphonium player at the Brass in Concert champion ahead of their British Open challenge.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Petworth Town Band

July 7 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, TUBA and BASS TROMBONE. We are an enthusiastic band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome you to join us and our inspirational MD Paula Streeter.


Epping Forest Band

July 7 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd