Commissioned by Glyn Williams & Foden’s Band, from Foden’s Band Composer in Residence Andy Scott. Premiered at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass on 29th January 2011. The ’Concerto for Euphonium’ with Brass Band is scored in three movements.

 

1. The Lure of the Red JacketThe title refers to Glyn’s youthful ambition to play with a leading brass band in future years. This can be seen & heard first hand on YouTube, Glyn aged 16 years! The red jacket of Foden’s is indeed a coveted prize.

To achieve a goal such as this there is inevitably years of unrelenting hard work. This is helped with supportive people around you, passing on musical experience to the point where the young musician is confident enough to ‘fly’ on their own, and in turn pass on experiences to the younger generation.

The Lure of the Red Jacket responds musically to these ideas and attitudes; a non-relenting riff that signifies the hard slog of practice, scorings which find members of the band supporting the soloist, all the time the soloist putting together new riffs and ideas.

Stylistically all this happens within a frame of minimalism and funk.

2. Far Beyond the Stars‘They are all gone into the world of light, & I alone sit lingering here’ wrote the Welsh poet Henry Vaughan (1622-1695).

A simple folk-like melody is stated by the soloist, which develops with different harmonic backdrops being introduced. The poignant words form the focus of the emotional intensity of this piece, with ‘Far Beyond the Stars’ paying proud homage to Glyn’s Welsh roots.

3. The Dragon’s DenA fierce and fiery fusion of energy, virtuosic playing and intricate ensemble work, the finale of the Concerto for Euphonium draws upon the composers experience of big band and small group performance and writing.

 

Recorded on the CD ‘The Lure of the Red Jacket’ (Doyen287), Glyn Williams’ with Foden’s Band conducted by Michael Fowles.

Brass Band World Solo CD of the Year 2011.

 

Percussion - Timpani, Triangle, Xylophone, Drum Kit, Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells, Cowbell, Cymbals (Sus. & Crash) Bass Drum, Congas, Tam-tam, Vibraphone