The Triumph of Time for the Open

Press Release from the British Open Championships 8 April 2016:

We are delighted to announce that the Test Piece for the 2016 British Open to be held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Saturday September 10th will be ‘The Triumph of Time’ by Professor Peter Graham.

Commissioned by Professor Nicholas Childs and Black Dyke for the own choice section at the 2014 European Championships in Perth, Scotland, the piece was also the set work for the Elite Division bands at last year's Swiss National Championships. This will be Professor Graham's third piece selected for the British Open since 2004.

As Peter began his preparations for the commission he realised that 2014 would mark the 25th anniversary of one of his earliest works for brass band, ‘The Essence of Time’.

Listening to the piece for the first time in a number of years, he was struck by its energy and optimism, and the seeds were planted as to whether it would be possible to capture something of the spirit of The Essence of Time in a new work. Whilst not using any of the musical content, it does draw upon some of the structural elements.

As with the 'Essence of Time', 'The Triumph of Time' is a set of variations for band which follow similar moods and characteristics to its older relation. The piece also includes a number of lyrical and haunting solos which will captivate the audience and test the bands.

In its premier performance, the piece opened up with a cacophony of pre-recorded clocks. However, as was the case in Switzerland last year, this will not form part of the performances in September.

Many years ago Peter took up a university post and embarked on a postgraduate compositional study, and his friend and colleague Ron Holz offered him some sage advice: to explore and assimilate unfamiliar compositional concepts and to develop and strengthen his technique, ‘but never to stop writing tunes’. The piece is therefore dedicated to Dr Ronald W Holz in gratitude.

Karyn & Martin Mortimer are also delighted to announce that Brass Band Willebroek and Wellington Brass (NZ) will, by invitation, be taking to the Symphony Hall stage in September.

The 2014 Belgian Champions finished runners up at last year's European Brass Band Championships and as with Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern in 2015, receive their invitation as the highest placed non UK-based competing ensemble at this prestigious event.

Wellington Brass (NZ) will be competing as part of their tour later this year and will be the first ensemble from the South West Pacific Ocean since Dalewool Auckland (NZ) in 2004 to participate at the world's oldest musical competition.

The contest, which once again is sponsored by Besson, will commence at 10.00am. Tickets for the 164th British Open Band Championship (10th September 2016) will go on sale at Symphony Hall Box Office on Tuesday 17th May.

Photo: Professor Peter Graham, composer of 'The Triumph of Time'

‘The Triumph of Time’ is published by Gramercy Music

Available from:
Gramercy Music (UK)
PO Box 41
Cheadle Hulme
Cheshire SK8 5HF

Tel./Fax: + 44 (0) 161-486 1959
E-mail: info@gramercymusic.com

View PDF score here