Martin Green: Split the Air [Live]

Split the Air brings together multi-award winning musician, writer and Ivor Novello-winning composer Martin Green and The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. A composer known for pushing sonic boundaries leads the new generation of brass band players into unknown territories. Brass bands are a hidden treasure in the wider music scene, but for over a century they have been at the heart of local and industrial communities all over the UK.

Split the Air brings scale and excitement, presenting brass in its purest form and centring young players of this music at the heart of their tradition and the future of the brass band community. This collaboration presents a new innovative work for brass band; inspired by band communities, the future of the tradition, and brass bands’ relationship to industry.

This piece is part of PRS Foundation's New Music Biennial 2022.

Commissioned by Lepus and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

In 2022 New Music Biennial celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and NMC are thrilled to continue as digital partner for PRS Foundations' landmark new music series. 

New Music Biennial's critically acclaimed free festival takes place this year in both Coventry and London, featuring brand new commissions from across all genres and musical styles: from classical and chamber opera to jazz, folk and electronic, by some of the most exciting composers and music creators in the UK today. NMC then provides a lasting legacy for this new music by making it available to listen to as digital releases.

New Music Biennial 2022 comprises 20 pieces of music: ten brand new works and ten pre-existing works from across the festival’s 10-year history. Live recordings of the new works will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and will be released on NMC’s shop across the summer. Download the ten pre-existing works from NMC’s online shop for only £5 here

Listen back to 10 years of New Music Biennial with our five genre-themed curated playlists. From jazz, to folk, to electronic music, they demonstrate the breadth and diversity of music showcased at the festival over the years: listen here

FUNDERS

New Music Biennial is generously supported by the following committed patrons, funders and partners:

RECORDINGS CREDITS

Split the Air was recorded by the BBC on 23 April 2022 at Coventry Cathedral.
Producer: Philip Tagney
Sound Engineer: Marvin Ware

Catalogue Number: NMC DL202203