The musical director of an Island brass band is playing a key role in a new recording marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Gustav Holst.
Phillip Littlemore, of Abbey Brass, has penned new arrangements of three of Holst’s most famous works for the special CD recorded by the Tredegar Band from south Wales.
The recording, undertaken in partnership with the Holst Society and the World of Brass record label, is due for release later this year.
Littlemore: Hearing them play my new transcriptions is tremendous
Phillip, of Ryde, said,
“Back in 2021 I worked alongside Tredegar Band, and their conductor Ian Porthouse, in a recording of original works and brass band transcriptions of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. During those sessions it became obvious to us that we should do the same for the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst.
“Here we are, almost three years later, fulfilling that ambition. As with the Vaughan Williams recording, I have undertaken to do new versions of several works giving them a new resonance for today’s brass bands.
“Tredegar are one of the finest brass bands in the world and hearing them play my new transcriptions is tremendous.”
Phillip’s contributions to the CD are refreshed arrangements of Holst’s First Suite in E flat, the Second Suite in F and a suite of ballet music from The Perfect Fool.
News shared by Simon on behalf of Abbey Brass. Ed
