Descent (arr. for Brass Band)

First performed by Cory Brass Band conducted by Philip Harper at RNCM International Festival of Brass, 25^th January 2026.

Descent is a short, high-energy work, originally commissioned by the Vale of Glamorgan Festival for BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The original brief was to create a piece which celebrated the virtuosity of both the instrumentalists and ensemble. I always imagined that the material would work effectively when reimagined for brass and approached Philip Harper about creating a fresh version of the piece for the Cory Band which reshaped and reworked content from the original score. Set in a loose ternary form, the initial material of Descent is highly animated with frequent solos for varying instrumentalists across the ensemble. A slower intermezzo interrupts the opening material, forming the central passage of the piece and featuring an extensive solo for Euphonium interspersed with further solos from across the band. The opening, energised material returns with greater vigour than the beginning, including striking interruptions from the percussion. Rising machine-like figures return as the piece builds towards a climax before a short coda leads to a boisterous finale.