PROGRAMME NOTE

This arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s famous love theme for flugel and euphonium was created especially for husband and wife Helen and Glyn Williams, and formed part of Cory Band’s winning 2018 Brass in Concert Programme.

 

The world premiere of the Russian composer’s take on W/illiam Shakespeare’s well- known story took place in 1870 and has since developed a reputation as a firm concert hall favourite all around the world.

 

Philip Harper has extracted just the love theme from what Tchaikovsky called his ‘fantasy overture’, adapting the presentation of the melody to fit the duet format,

and the performers might like to imagine that they are playing out the iconic balcony scene from Shakespeare’s play, with both protagonists beginning off-stage

left and right, and slowly being drawn towards each other as the piece progresses.

 

True love conquers all!