Rococo Variations - Steven Mead (Digital Download)
	£6.75 Reference:  DLCDBM14 Quantity: 123456789

Stunning lyrical playing allied to an audacious technique in great abundance on this new solo CD from Steve. With 5 brand new arrangements, this mainly classical CD shows off the sheer beauty and passion of the sound of the euphonium, no more so than in the title track, Rococo Variations, the cello masterpiece from Tchaikovsky skilfully arranged for euphonium and brass band by the Swiss euphonium master Thomas Ruedi. This incredible work sounds almost like an original work for euphonium in this quite immense performance. Three romantic, atmospheric slow works are also going to be highlights of this disc, two of which were unearthed by the famous Belgian conductor/arranger Luc Vertommen who provided much of the musical inspiration behind the award winning 'Euphonium Virtuoso' CD.

The incredible Carmen Fantasy in a brand new arrangement by Luc sees Steve's technique at its sparkling best in between the passionate operatic melodies. Gillingham's Vintage is a big favourite of many of todays euphonium soloists and this new setting with brass band is sure to spark great interest. Canaan's Land by Peter Graham is the other major work on the disc , written for Derick Kane (ISB) a few years ago . Steve was the dedicatee of Goff Richards beautiful work Pilatus (the awe-inspiring mountain sitting overlooking Lucerne) back in 1993 and this new recording sees the work given a fresh feel and the arching melodies are just perfect for the euphonium, in the hands of our soloist. Saint Saens' Allegro Appassionata, originally for cello is the curtain raiser on this feast of euphonium magic. This is a CD you'll definitely not want to be without!!

Listed in several magazines on the shortlist for Solo CD of the Year 2009.

Brass Band World review January 2010:

"Any new Steven Mead CD excites high expectations and this latest doesn’t disappoint.

Drawing heavily on classical repertoire with a little help from the arranging skills of Luc Vertommen, the transcriptions are thoughtfully interspersed and there are several original pieces from the pens of Goff Richards and Peter Graham, amongst others.  The choice of music places as much emphasis on the lyrical qualities of the instrument as it does on the stunning virtuosity of the soloist – all to compelling effect.

It’s not simply  the technique that impresses, however.  In the case of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme and Saint-Saens’ Allegro Appassionato, both mainstays of the cello repertoire, it is Steven Mead’s stylistic affinity with the music that it marks the playing out as truly special, whilst in Roger Derongé’s Walking on Music and Goff Richards’ Pilatus, the control and phrasing of the lyrical lines is a joy to behold.

For pyrotechnics, though, Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy steals the show with playing from the soloist that, at times, almost beggars belief.

Although the acoustic is a touch and brittle, Andy Duncan and Whitburn band provide carefully judged accompaniment.

To quote the title of the David Gillingham piece, performed with such elegance, Steven Mead proves again that his is artistry and musicianship of a rare ‘vintage’.  It all makes for a disc not to be missed.

Christopher Thomas."

Brass band World magazine issue 190, December January 2010