Let’s Debate with Edward Gregson

In last month’s BBW, Philip Harper criticised charlatan composers and poor test-piece choices by major brass band contest organisers. This month, leading international composer, Professor Edward Gregson, steps forward with a composer’s perspective

I was very interested to read Philip Harper's article, 'Give us some good music,' in the June edition of Brass Band World. Philip made his comments as a musician, albeit with the specific complaint that ‘as a conductor this music is forced upon me to work on.’ I write from a composer’s perspective. I should commence by stating that I agree with much of what Philip said in his article, albeit with an important caveat (to follow). There have indeed been some recent examples of sub-standard works set as test-pieces, demonstrating poor compositional craft, overblown scoring, particularly in the percussion (how I dislike the big 'crowd-pleasing' final 'fff' chord when it is further bludgeoned by rolls on timpani, tam-tam, cymbals and just about anything else that can be 'rolled'!). Such writing strikes me as being rather crude and lacking in imagination. Philip alludes to such works in his article and also rightly uses the word 'gimmickry' in this context, and I get his point: outrageously difficult music for its own sake, with slim regard for musical ideas and their development, so that one ends up with meaningless cascades of notes without any coherent structure - the composer’s fault or poor briefing?

This obsession (although thankfully limited) for technical pyrotechnics has surely gone too far - it is time for a re-think…

To find out about Edward Gregson’s views regarding a ‘rethink’ of major test-pieces, subscribe to this month’s BBW

You may also be interested in Edward Gregson's 'top 12 test-pieces from the last 50 years' - a web exclusive article here at brassbandworld.co.uk