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Edward Gregson tells Donald Macleod what inspires him today, after a lifetime working in music.

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, we focus on Gregson’s more recent works. Edward tells Donald why he waited until he was nearly 70 to write his first String Quartet, and he shares the very personal feelings that lie behind his Mahler inspired, Dream Song for Orchestra.

Gregson: Symphony in two movements (I. Toccata)
Black Dyke Band

Gregson: String Quartet No 1 (1st mvt)
Navarra Quartet

Bush: Symphony No 4, ‘Lascaux Symphony’ (II. ‘The Children’)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Martin Yates, conductor

Gregson: Dream Song
Â鶹Éç Philharmonic
Bramwell Tovey, conductor

Producer: Chris Taylor