Simon Dobson wrote his 'Four Sketches' at the request of Peter Bossano, Head of Brass at the Royal College of Music, in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s death.

The first movement, 'Fanfare',quotes directly from the opening violin melody from Britten’s song cycle Les Illuminations. This melodic line is superimposed upon sonorous Lydian mode chords to project a majestic sound. The second movement, 'Prayer', is adefinite contrast, being and much more reflect...