**NEW** CD - Omaggio - Steven Mead and Brighouse and Rastrick Band - Cond. Russell Gray |
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Here is the brand new CD from Steven Mead, Omaggio, in a landmark recording with the 2022 British Open Champions, Brighouse and Rastrick. It features as it's centrepiece three original concerti for euphonium, two of them brand new (Philip Sparke and Philip Harper).
Track listing
Euphonium Concerto No. 4, Omaggio*- Philip Sparke
1. Fantasia
2. Ballad
3. The King Triumphant
4. Dancing Lights*- Lucy Pankhurst
Euphonium Concerto* – Philip Harper
5. Summer 1916 – Days of Youth
6. Winter 1916 – The Weight of Maturity
7. 4th February 1917 – Release
8. Cafe 1930* - Astor Piazzolla Arr. Luc Vertommen
In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen - Concerto for Euphonium - Peter Graham
9. Time Traveller, HG Wells
10. The Final Problem, Conan Doyle
11. The Great Race, Jules Verne
12. The Sally Gardens - Ken Downie
* - premiere recording
Recording details:
Recorded 14/15 May 2022
Recording venue: Hade Edge Bandroom, Holmfirth
Recording engineers: Daniel Lock, Melissa Dee
Production: Daniel Lock
World of Brass
Omaggio is the Italian word for homage or tribute, and as we consider the subject matter of the three solo concerti, this is undoubtedly the thread between them. In chronological order, Peter Graham’s In League with Extra-ordinary Gentleman is dedicated to three euphonium playing family members, with literary stars titled in each of the three movements. Philip Harper’s evocative and dramatic concerto is a tribute to the great grandfather of Micah Parsons, the young euphonium player who commissioned the work from the composer. Henry Nichols was killed in the First World War and the events surrounding this tragic event provide the subject matter for this concerto. Philip Sparke’s Euphonium Concerto No. 4 with subtitle Omaggio is written as a tribute to our soloist’s father, Rex Mead who passed away in January 2021. Rex was a kind, loving father and husband, who sporting prowess, good nature and true gentlemanly conduct inspired all those he came in contact with.
Three shorter contrasting works provide balance to these wonderful concerti. Lucy Pankhurst’s colourful work receives its premiere recording as does Luc Vertommen’s superb arrangement of Piazzolla’s masterful Cafe 1930. Ken Downie’s setting of The Sally Gardens provides a suitable benediction to the action, drama and high emotion of the main works of this album.