*
banner

4BR Thursday Interview with Oliver Waespi

4BR talks to the Swiss composer about his latest work 'Volatile Gravity' for drum set and orchestra which is to be premiered this weekend in Basle.

Waespi
  the composer has written some of the most popular and demanding works for the brass band medium.

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Oliver Waespi, the Swiss composer who over the years has written some of the most popular as well as demanding works for the brass band medium.

These include his urban compositions such as 'Hypercube' and the Renaissance dances of 'Graces of Love', to the Shakespearian inspired 'Tracing Time' and the celebrations of the majesty of nature such as 'As if voice were in them...' and 'Audivi Media Nocte'.

You can find out more about his works at: www.oliverwaespi.ch

Volatile Gravity

He is now awaiting the premiere of his latest work, entitled 'Volatile Gravity', a concerto for Drumset and Orchestra, featuring the talents of Jojo Mayer and the Basel Sinfonietta conducted by Baldur Brönnimann, which will be performed on 27th June at 7 pm at Stadtcasino in Basel, alongside works by Frank Zappa.

Audivi Media Nocte

Oliver talks about the work and its inspiration as well as looking back 10 years to the premiere of 'Audivi Media Nocte' — and how the two pieces share his obsession with pulsations and rhythms.

All this and we even find out about his thoughts on the chances of Switzerland making the knock-out stages of Euro 2020.

Concert

The concert will also be live-streamed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWw6C2LTNGg

For more information check out http://baselsinfonietta.ch/konzerte/jojo-zappa-rocknroll and https://de-de.facebook.com/baselsinfonietta

You can find out more about Oliver's work at his new website at: www.oliverwaespi.ch

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd