A Vision In A Dream - Concertos By Edward GregsonTuba Concerto; A Song for Bram, for Piano and Orchestra; Three Goddesses, Concerto for Viola; A Song for Sue, for Piano and Orchestra; A Vision in a Dream, Concerto for Oboe

Ross Knight (tuba), Rachel Roberts (viola), Jennifer Galloway (oboe), Edward Gregson (piano),
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - conductor Ben Gernon
Chandos CHAN 20356
chandos.net

Edward Gregson, who turned 80 in July, remains a prolific figure in British music, with a substantial catalogue of works that have achieved widespread performance. This new recording from Chandos brings together three major concertos alongside two more intimate pieces for piano and orchestra, the latter featuring the composer himself as pianist, offering a welcome survey of his concertante writing.

The Tuba Concerto (1977), written for John Fletcher, has become one of Gregson's most frequently performed scores. While the inevitable comparison with Vaughan Williams's work in the same genre hovers in the background—there's even a fleeting allusion to its opening in the first movement—Gregson's approach is distinctly his own. Ross Knight navigates the opening Allegro's film-score exuberance with impressive assurance, his tenor register singing out above crisp orchestral textures. The central Lento allows him to demonstrate both lyrical warmth and the instrument's expressive range, whilst Ben Gernon draws colourful support from the BBC Philharmonic throughout.

Rachel Roberts brings penetrating intensity to the Viola Concerto 'Three Goddesses' (2023), in which the soloist embodies three mythological figures: Morrigan, Aphrodite and Diana. Roberts captures the Celtic warrior queen's elemental power in the opening movement before exploring Aphrodite's sensuous lyricism. The finale builds from hushed beginnings to an exhilarating gallop, the string orchestra providing vivid accompaniment to Gregson's energetic rondo.

The Oboe Concerto 'A Vision in a Dream' (2020) takes Coleridge's Kubla Khan as its inspiration, resulting in Gregson's most overtly programmatic concerto. Jennifer Galloway's refined playing navigates the work's enigmatic opening through to its quietly eloquent close, with particularly distinguished contributions from the solo percussion throughout.

The album's two shorter works are deeply personal tributes. A Song for Bram, honouring the late conductor Bramwell Tovey, weaves two hymn tunes—St Denio and St Clement—into its fabric, concluding with an affecting fade as Thomas Fountain's cornet departs the stage. A Song for Sue, reworking material from Gregson's 1966 Concertante for Piano and Brass Band, is a tender homage to his wife. With its hints of Rachmaninoff, Ireland and even Gershwin, it makes for a warmly romantic, close to a fine collection.