Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 01 | Exposition And Developments | 20220214 | Edward Gregson talks to Donald Macleod about his early setbacks and successes. All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We'll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain's musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers. Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms's music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain's major musical conservatoires. In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain's music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush's ever-present political agenda shouldn't detract from the intrinsic quality of his music. In today's programme we focus on some significant moments in Edward Gregson's early career including his upbringing within the Salvation Army, an early knock-back from an influential conductor, and his first forays into the world of brass bands. Gregson: Concerto for Orchestra (III. Toccata) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Douglas Bostock, conductor Gregson: Quintet for Brass, (1st mvt) London Brass Gregson: Music for Chamber Orchestra (I. Lento maestoso) BBC Concert Orchestra Bramwell Tovey, conductor Gregson: Connotations Grimethorpe Colliery Band Elgar Howarth, conductor Gregson: Six Little Pieces for piano (Nos. 1-4) Murray McLachlan, piano Gregson: The Kings go Forth (I. The Church) Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra James Gourlay, conductor Producer: Chris Taylor |
| 2022 | 02 | A Political Awakening | 20220215 | Donald Macleod and Edward Gregson explore how Marxism became a driving force in Bush's music. All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We'll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain's musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers. Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms's music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain's major musical conservatoires. In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain's music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush's ever-present political agenda shouldn't detract from the intrinsic quality of his music. Today Donald and Edward turn their attention to Alan Bush's story. We see how Bush's dazzling talent catapulted him to early attention and follow him to 1920s Berlin where he witnessed, first-hand, the rise of German fascism. Bush: Concert-Piece for cello and piano (opening) Joseph Spooner, cello Catherine Summerhayes, piano Bush: Relinquishment Piers Lane, piano Bush: Dialectic Medici Quartet Bush: Piano Concerto (extract) Rolf Hind, piano Apollo Voices BBC Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin, conductor Bush: Symphony No 1 (1st mvt) Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra Douglas Bostock, conductor Donald Macleod examines how Marxism became a driving force in Bush's work. |
| 2022 | 03 | The Manchester Years | 20220216 | Edward Gregson the talks to Donald Macleod about a new role with new responsibilities. All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We'll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain's musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers. Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms's music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain's major musical conservatoires. In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain's music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush's ever-present political agenda shouldn't detract from the intrinsic quality of his music. Today we return our focus to the music of Edward Gregson. Donald talks to the composer about his move to Manchester, as principal of the Royal Northern College of Music, and a trip to China that nearly ended in disaster. Plus, they discuss Edward's fascination for writing concertos. Gregson: Stepping Out BBC Concert Orchestra Bramwell Tovey, conductor Gregson: Violin Concerto (2nd mvt) Olivier Charlier, violin BBC Philharmonic Martyn Brabbins, conductor Gregson: Shadow of Paradise Melinda Maxwell, oboe Richard Benjafield, percussion Gregson: Make a Joyful Noise East London Chorus Paul Ayres, organ Locke Brass Consort Michael Kibblewhite, conductor Gregson: Clarinet Concerto (Part 1) Michael Collins, clarinet Edward Gregson talks to Donald Macleod about a new role with new responsibilities. |
| 2022 | 04 | Rejection And Renewal | 20220217 | As the Cold War takes hold, Alan Bush discovers new opportunities behind the Iron Curtain. With Donald Macleod and Edward Gregson. All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We'll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain's musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers. Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms's music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain's major musical conservatoires. In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain's music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush's ever-present political agenda shouldn't detract from the intrinsic quality of his music. Today, Bush turns to opera, which brings him enormous success, though not in Britain, where his communist views were being viewed with increasing suspicion. His stage works were staged many times and to huge acclaim in East Germany and the USSR. Donald and Edward reflect on what British audience have yet to discover about Bush and his legacy. Bush: Three Concert Studies (I. Moto Perpetuo) Summerhayes Trio Bush: Violin Concerto (II. Andante espressivo) Manoug Parikian, violin BBC Symphony Orchestra Norman del Mar, conductor Bush: Symphony No 2, The Nottingham Symphony' (III. Castle Rock' & IV Goose Fair') Royal Scottish National Orchestra Martin Yates, conductor Bush: Voices of the Prophets (Nos. 1-3) Philip Langridge, tenor Lionel Friend, piano Bush: Africa - Symphonic movement for piano and orchestra (extract) Peter Donohoe, piano |
| 2022 | 05 LAST | Dream Song | 20220218 | Edward Gregson tells Donald Macleod what inspires him today, after a lifetime working in music. All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We'll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain's musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers. Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms's music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain's major musical conservatoires. In the early part of the 20th century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain's music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush's ever-present political agenda shouldn't detract from the intrinsic quality of his music. Today, we focus on Gregson's more recent works. Edward tells Donald why he waited until he was nearly 70 to write his first String Quartet, and he shares the very personal feelings that lie behind his Mahler inspired, Dream Song for Orchestra. Gregson: Symphony in two movements (I. Toccata) Black Dyke Band Gregson: String Quartet No 1 (1st mvt) Navarra Quartet Bush: Symphony No 4, Lascaux Symphony' (II. The Children') Royal Scottish National Orchestra Martin Yates, conductor Gregson: Dream Song BBC Philharmonic Bramwell Tovey, conductor Producer: Chris Taylor Edward Gregson tells Donald Macleod what inspires him today, after a lifetime in music. |