*
banner

4BR Monday Interview with Martin Bailey

We find out more about Vincent van Gogh's musical connections with the author and journalist Martin Bailey following the discovery that the great Dutch artist was a honorary member of his local wind band.

vanGogh
  Vincent van Gogh was a founder honorary member of Harmonie de Vooruitgang Wind Band

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

For the Monday interview on 4BR we are joined by journalist and author Martin Bailey who writes a weekly blog for the 'The Art Newspaper'.

Martin is a leading expert on the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, and has published numerous articles many of which have shed new light on his life and work.

Discovery

These include the recent discovery of an entry in a ledger containing the names of the 68 Honorary Members who helped establish the formation of the Harmonie de Vooruitgang (Harmony of Progress) wind band in the Dutch town of Nuenen in 1884 — later to become Brass Band Nuenen.

Van Gogh lived and worked in the town for two years from December 1883, producing one his most celebrated works, 'The Potato Eaters' there in early 1885.

Martin tells us that the discovery sheds new light on his time in Nuenen.

Find out more

You can find out more about Martins' articles and blogs on Van Gogh at: www.theartnewspaper.com

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    


Regional

Stevenage performances on replay on Wobplay

March 24 • If you want to find out how all the prizes were won in Stevenage on the weekend, the tune into wobplay and enjoy... and debate


Kapitol Promotions

And the National Final invitations go to...

March 24 • The provisional list of bands that will be invited to compete at the 2026 National Finals at London and York have now been completed.


Durham

Results: 2026 North of England Regional Championships

March 21 • EverReady, Durham Miners Institute, Felling, Barton Community and Driffield take the first four titles in Durham


Fulham

Results: 2026 London & SC Regional Championships

March 21 • Zone One, Fulham, Staines, Betteshanger and Crystal Palace claim titles at Stevenage


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Back row cornet vacancy. . Instrument available


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Percussion - kit vacancy. . Pearl & mapex kits available . Own bandroom, no additional setting up between rehearsals


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • 2nd Euphonium vacancy. . Flexible rehearsals available to support band-home life balance


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd