*
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    


NABBA

America looks at benefits of a slimmer musical diet

June 9 • The North American Brass Band Championships are considering new timing considerations for own-choice test-pieces at National Championships.


James MacmIllan

Monarch honours MacMillan

June 9 • Composer Sir James Macmillan becomes a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.


BrwookWright

BrookWright Music launches Solo Contest

June 9 • Leading music publisher launches bespoke solo competition for all brass instruments


Boax

Boax adds to Cory strength

June 9 • The Welsh champion continues to strengthen its ranks with the arrival of new solo baritone player Charlie Boax.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

June 9 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm under the baton of our MD Jim Henson, at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Crewe Brass

June 5 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd