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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
Â鶹Éç 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
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Martin Yates, conductor