Rhapsody for Euphonium written for Ben Haemhouts and Brassband Midden Brabant, his performance winning him the solo prize at the VARA Brass Band Festival in Utrecht. There is much interplay between soloist and band, both in terms of tutti sections and individual players from the band, with lively rhythms and a fast and furious finish.

Rhapsody For Euphonnium (Johan Evenepoel)

'Fantasy for Euphonium', commissioned as a solo work to illustrate both the lyrical potential of the instrument and also its flexibility in more technical passages. The extended cadenza has clearly been carefully thought through, and the concluding presto is taken at breakneck speed.

Over The Edge

Fantasy For Euphonium (François Glorieux)

'Walking on Music' was written for Nick’s colleague at Willebroek, Stef Pillaert, and is scored for a band with no cornets, making for a somewhat dark and austere texture. Opening with an unaccompanied passage for the soloist, it is predominantly slow, concentrating on the smooth, melodic characteristics of the instrument, and with a final note that seems to go on for ever.

Walking On Music (Roger Derongé)

The 'Concerto for Euphonium' is a far more extended work than the 'Concertino' recorded earlier, incorporating a range of styles and moods. After the opening, setting a sustained euphonium line against a rhythmic accompaniment from the band, the 'Lento nostalgica' offers a moment of repose, with its yearning Rachmaninov-like melody. The 'Allegro brioso' sees a reprise of the opening, but with more elaboration of the solo line than before, leading to an abrupt and somewhat unexpected cut-off.

Concerto For Euphonium - Part I (François Glorieux)

The second part of the concerto consists of a theme and variations, with the subtitle ('Glorious Sound'), the initial elegant statement being followed by a real sense of fun in the 'Tempo di saltarella', in which the “jumping” origin of the dance style comes across well. 

An 'Andante caloroso' leads to a brief cadenza, before a lively and rhythmic 'Allegro con brio'. The ''Blues' has a nicely laid-back feel to it, and the 'Presto' finale sets off at a cracking pace, with the soloist constantly on the move.

Concerto For Euphonium - Part II (François Glorieux)

Bart Picqueur trained as a clarinettist, and is a prolific arranger in the world of classical and light music. His 'Dr Livingstone I Presume?' bears the subtitle, ''A Jungle Fantasy for Euphonium & Brass Band', and gives him the opportunity to draw some suitably exotic colours from the ensemble. 

He makes much use of mallet percussion, and incorporates the African djembe (a small skin-covered drum played with the hands). The solo line at times is something of a moto perpetuo with very little chance for a breather – the sleeve notes speak of the “courage” demanded of the soloist, and the spirit of adventure is ever present. 

In the contrasting middle section Nick shows exemplary control over the full range of the instrument, comfortable in his phrasing and always emphasising the musical shape. The writing for the cornets towards the end is somewhat reminiscent of Aagaard-Nielsen’s 'Fever Fantasy', as the music moves inexorably towards the close.

Dr Livingstone I Presume? (Bart Picqueur)

The wording of the sleeve note for Bart Watté’s 'Over the Edge' would seem to refer to an orchestral version of the work, although some elements of that scoring have clearly found their way into the band version, notably with the use of the harp, played here by Lauren Scott, the wife of Fodens’ Composer in Residence Andy Scott. 

It makes its presence felt at both the start and the finish of this moody and atmospheric work, making for some interesting variety in the texture. It is in these final two tracks that the band is heard at its best, with the some quite stunning playing at times as they match the intensity of the soloist, with thrilling sounds from the soprano cornet in particular.

Over The Edge (Bart Watté)

Professor euphonium at the Lemmens Institute - LUCA School of Arts - Leuven, Belgium.
Conductor and brass teacher in Norway.

Nick Ost

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