Celebration (Gregson)

Edward Gregson

Subtitle: Praeludium for Wind, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Piano

General Info

Year: 1991
Duration: c. 6:30
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Maecenas Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $135.00 | Score Only - $45.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Tuba
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Bongos
Clashed Cymbals
Crotales
Glockenspiel
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tam-Tam
Tenor Drum
Tom-Toms (4)
Triangle
Tubular Bells
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, first performed at their gala concert in the presence of H.M. The Queen, Celebration is a miniature concerto for orchestra without strings. Gregson's command of the medium is everywhere to be seen in this dazzling showpiece.

- Program Note by publisher

Conceived in four continuous sections, the piece celebrates the virtuosity of the players and is a "sort of miniature concerto for orchestra (without strings)." The opening is a fanfare by three spatially separated trumpets and tubular bells; part two is for wind trios, harp and percussion; part three is a chorale for woodwinds only; and the conclusion, with its development, climax and reprise, is for full ensemble.

- Program Note by Program Notes for Band

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: Cincinnati Wind Symphony (Eugene Corporon, conductor) - 1994
Audio CD: U.S. Coast Guard Band (Kenneth W. Megan, conductor) - 2009

State Ratings

Alabama: Class AA
Louisiana: V

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of South Florida (Tampa) Wind Ensemble (Matthew McCutchen, conductor) - 25 September 2020
University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Wind Symphony (Jaclyn Hartenberger, conductor) - 13 November 2019
Indiana University (Bloomington) Symphonic Band (Suzanne Charney, conductor) - 3 November 2019
Cleveland Winds (Cleveland, Ohio) (Birch Browning, conductor) - 7 November 2011
United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Kenneth W. Megan, conductor) - 16 December 2009 (2009 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Brass Quartet No. 1 (1968)
Brass Quartet No. 2 (1968)
Celebration (1991)
Concerto for Euphonium (tr. Stamp) (2018/2020)
Concerto for Piano and Winds (1995/1997)
Festivo (1985)
Horn Concerto (1971/2008)
The Kings Go Forth (1996)
Metamorphoses (1979/1983)
Missa Brevis Pacem (1987)
Partita (1973/1999)
Prelude for an Occasion (1968/1985)
The Sword and the Crown (1988/1993)
Tuba Concerto (1976/1986)
Variations on Laudate Dominum (tr. Wiffin) (1976/2007/2017)

Resources

Gregson, E. (1991). Celebration : Praeludium for Wind, Brass Percussion, Harp and Piano [score]. Maecenas Music: Surrey [England].
Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 253