Regent Brass marked the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst’s birth with a performance at the Regent Hall Brass Arts Festival 2024 that paid tribute to the composer’s enduring legacy while showcasing new creative voices.
A highlight was the world premiere of Tangled Space by the band’s principal cornet player, Peter Yarde-Martin. Drawing inspiration from the rhythmic patterns and melodic ideas of The Planets, this new work was a bold and imaginative tribute, resonating with Holst’s spirit while exploring fresh sonic territory.
The virtuosic violin soloist Emily Earl joined the ensemble for the first performance of flugelhorn player Freddie Meyer’s evocative new arrangement of A Song of the Night.
The programme also highlighted Holst’s family connection to music, with a spirited performance of Imogen Holst’s The Glory of the West.
The centrepiece of the evening was Stephen Roberts’ striking arrangement of The Planets, a work that brought Holst’s iconic orchestral suite vividly to life through the full range and colour of the brass band.
