A condensed score is included with this work
Gregson wrote his Prelude and Capriccio in 1972. It exists in two versions: one for cornet and band and the other for cornet or trumpet and piano.
The work began life in the early sixties, the Capriccio being composed when the composer was 17. A Prelude was added to complete the work, which lasts for approximately 8 minutes. The Prelude is reflective in character and uses long melodic lines over undulating chromatic harmony. The music reaches a climax before a brief reprise of the opening. The Capriccio is somewhat jazzy in its opening syncopated rhythms, but has a more lyrical middle section before a finale exploiting the virtuoso character of the instrument.