The Pacific ocean with its pounding waves, free flowing groove and sizzle on the sand provide the backdrop for Gabriella Smith’s Tumblebird Contrails. Keening gulls and playful ravens overhead, and a hallucinatory jet trail painting pictures across the sky mirror in the ebb and flow of the sea in this impressionistic musical portrait.

BBC NOW’s very own Principal Trombonist, Donal Bannister steps out of the orchestra and into the solo spotlight in a world premiere by Simon Wills, written specially for Donal, before Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft continues his exploration into the works of Charles Ives with BBC NOW, this time with his First Symphony. Meditative melodies contrast with energetic themes and hymn-like tunes meld with soaring lyricism in this encapsulatingly Romantic symphony.

EPSG:4326

Simon Wills

Events

Upcoming events

5 - 13 Dec, 2025

Holiday Brass: Bloomfield Hills · Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings

Past events

Dec 5, 2024

Impressions & Meditations · BBC National Orchestra of Wales

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