Ironbright (Fanfare Band)
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Describing the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this work was runner-up at the 7th European Composer Competition in Montreux in May 2019.
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It is Time (Mvt. 1)
In 1822 Brunel studied under the master clockmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. Brunel then went on to work as an assistant engineer to create a tunnel under the River Thames. Two incidents caused severe flooding, killing several workers and injuring Brunel. However Brunel had found his path in life. He was focused, enthusiastic and detail orientated about engineering as a route to a greater future.
Bridges (Mvt. 2)
Brunel designed many bridges throughout his life, they now form part of Great Britain's heritage. This movement depicts the views from Brunel’s bridges, such as the view of the Tamar estuary from the Royal Albert Bridge in Devon, or the view of Bristol from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Somerset. Brunel was also a family man which is depicted in this movement. He married Mary Elizabeth Horsley in 1836, she was the daughter of the composer William Horsley. I have chosen to include the hymn There is a Green Hill Far Away by Cecil Alexander, as Horsley frequently set his own hymn tunes to this.
SS Great Eastern (Mvt. 3)
In 1852, Brunel designed what was to be the largest ship ever built until the start of the 20th century. It was built for the Eastern Steam Navigation Company with the plan of exploiting the increase in emigration and trade to India. The construction of the ship was full of problems, running massively over budget and work not being completed on time. The maiden voyage was ill-fated as an explosion happened on-board, Brunel died shortly after this. Although this project was unsuccessful, Brunel is regarded as one of the greatest Britons of all time. Many of his bridges are still in use today, he set the standard for a well-built railway. Brunel changed the face of the English landscape with his ground-breaking designs and ingenious constructions.