*
banner

More Variations on VW to come for Tredegar

The Welsh Champion rounds off its year with the first part of a major Vaughan Williams recording project with ENO Music Director Martyn Brabbins.

Tredeagr
  All smiles after the final chord of the weekend.

Welsh Champion Tredegar has rounded off a busy musical period by completing the first leg of a significant CD recording project alongside renowned English National Opera Music Director Martyn Brabbins.

The first weekend of sessions for 'Vaughan Williams on Brass' recently took place at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall and will be released on the Albion Recording label to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth of the famous English composer in 2022.

Variations for Brass Band

Produced by Paul Hindmarsh it features a new curation of his masterful 'Variations for Brass Band' undertaken by Philip Littlemore who also assisted with the production throughout the weekend.

Also recorded were Philip's new curation of 'English Folk Song Suite' and 'Sea Songs' as well as a new collaboration of a substantial suite from the evocative music to the 1941 film 'The 49th Parallel'.

Other works include the overture 'Henry V', a new brass band version of his organ work, 'Rhosymedre' and a second prelude entitled 'The Truth from Above'.

Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions his iconic 'Tuba Concerto' will now be recorded by Ross Knight with the band in the Spring.

Fantastic experience

Speaking about the weekend, Tredegar MD Ian Porthouse told 4BR: "It was a fantastic recording experience and a great privilege to work with Martyn Brabbins. His insight and understanding of 'Variations' was remarkable — the music just blossomed into life.

It was a great way to round off the year with the promise of working with Ross on the Tuba Concerto to come."

It has also been announced that Tredegar will perform the newly curated 'Variations for Brass Band' at the RNCM Brass Band Festival in January.

It was a fantastic recording experience and a great privilege to work with Martyn BrabbinsIan Porthouse

Invaluable

Ian added: "Our thanks got to Martyn, Paul, Steve and Philip as well as John Francis from the Vaughan Williams Trust whose personal insights into the composer and the works was invaluable to hear.

My thanks also go to the players and to those who helped us on the weekend such as our guest principal cornet Chris Bradley from Whitburn Band who was outstanding.

It was a pleasure to work with them all — its left the band on a real high as we look forward to 2022."

Image: Copyright: John Francis

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    


Phiip Wilby

Dobcross Wilby ready for Cheltenham

September 5 • A visit from Prof Philip Wilby to a recent Dobcross Silver Band rehearsal has given everyone a musical boost ahead of their National challenge.


Simon Johnson

Johnson takes principal lead at LSO

September 5 • Former Williams Fairey solo trombonist Simon Johnson has been appointed principal trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra.


Bon Accord Youth

Youthful future assured at Bon Accord

September 5 • Fantastic outreach work sees a new youth band set up by Bon Accord Silver Band.


Birmingham Citadel Band

Citadel welcome to the British Open

September 5 • The Birmingham Citadel Band will offer a warm musical welcome to the 171st British Open Championship on Saturday.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Crewe Brass

September 5 • We are looking for FLUGEL player 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.


Rushden Town Band

September 2 • 2nd Trombone position has become vacant as current holder off to University. Rehearsals Mondays and Wednesday at Rushden Hall. RTB is a friendly 1st Section band who have recently come back from their second tour abroad and also released their first CD.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 2 • Are you moving to the West Midlands this autumn or possibly fancy a change of bandroom scenery? The band are looking to recruit an Eb bass and a Kit Percussionist to help us with our varied and ever expanding range of events.


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd