Level IV - University
Range approximately Bb1 to C5. Higher advanced tessitura. Increased rhythmic complexity/multimetric. Angular melodic lines. Dissonant harmonies/contemporary harmonies. Endurance factors. Introduction to avant-garde techniques (flutter tongue, multiphonics etc). Double and triple tonguing. Dynamic control and extremes.
* These levels are general guidelines and recognised as quite subjective. Level indications describe attributes and requirements of the music more so than the expected skill of the player. Works are listed alphabetically under the composer's surname.
I'm Too Tired to Breathe, And Yet
Composer: Brimblecombe, Eleanor
Title: I'm Too Tired to Breathe, And Yet
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 2019
Duration: 5'30"
Level: IV - University
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Tuomas Turriago, piano
Annotation: I’m Too Tired to Breathe, And Yet demands an impressive display of stamina and gymnastics for the euphonium soloist, with an endlessly repetitive, rhythmic, driving part in the piano. The title comes from an account of a woodwind student complaining about the necessity for correct breathing techniques and stating that they were “too tired to breathe,” to which the teacher calmly replied: “well, it’s either that, or die.”
The piano enters first and sets the pace, challenging the euphonium to join in with its minimalistic marathon. The euphonium hesitantly takes up the challenge with a lyrical theme, which becomes more and more interrupted by laboured breathing from the player. Eventually, the euphonium must dive into the texture of the piano, to create a rich, moving harmonic sonority as they work together. After a considerable amount of effort on the part of the euphonium, it pauses to take stock of the progress made. The piano persists, and the theme on the euphonium comes back, albeit altered to suit the pace of the piano. As the piece continues, there is a deepened sense of inevitability, that life is moving, and that the thrill of joining it is not without its challenges.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the Lieksa Brass Week, Finland in 2019.
Paean
Composer: Briton, Jamie - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Title: Paean
Publisher: Australian Music Centre - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and organ
Date: 2000
Duration: 8'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
Annotation: Paean is based on the form of a hymn, repeated once, with an introduction and a coda. Originally written in 1995, the piece was a sextet using euphonium, alto clarinet, piano, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and cello. The idea of using organ and keeping the euphonium as soloist came to the composer from visiting an older relation in Perth, a beautiful cathedral organist. The euphonium is in front, and dances, and tutti are wind.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Rod McDonald in Bathurst, Australia in 2005.
Lucille
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Lucille
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1927
Duration: 6'20"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
Annotation: Lucille is a caprice in several sections and styles. It begins with a flowing melody which immediately uses semi-quavers to decorate the melody. A short cadenza follows before moving into an allegretto tempo with a rubato feel. An allegro piano section is then followed by a change in style to grazioso all at a p dynamic. The final section works as a gradual building of tempo and energy through a moderate section, an allegro section and into an allegretto section which itself has an accel poco a poco. This leads to a short cadenza to finish the work.
Miranda
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Miranda
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1920
Duration: 6'20"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
Annotation: Miranda is a brilliant, showy work in a spirited and flashy style. As with the majority of Code's works, it begins with an andante melody before quickly moving to a cadenza to show the technique of the soloist. The original melody returns with variation and quickly into a second cadenza. A bolero in 3/4 follows which makes up the middle section of the work. A more traditional nineteenth-century style variation leads into a spirited conclusion to the work, finishing with a short flashy cadenza again showing the soloist's technique.
Neath Austral Skies
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Neath Austral Skies
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1921
Duration: 7'15"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Kew Band Melbourne)
Annotation: Neath Australia Skies is a flashy solo and a technical showpiece. It opens with the traditional andante melody as in most of Code’s solo works and moves into an ornamented variation on this melody. A cadenza offers the soloist an opportunity to show their technique with a mixed interval style variation with the melody in the top half of the intervals. A lively tempo di valse Brillante follows the cadenza with an animato variation preceding an extended piano section. A new tempo di valse Brillante melody is introduced and a similar animato variation on it before the original tempo di valse Brillante section returns and leads into a spirited conclusion to the work featuring triple tonguing and a virtuosic cadenza.
Prelude de Concert
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Prelude de Concert
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1934
Duration: 4'30"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
Annotation: Prelude de Concert is Code’s final solo work in almost a rondo style form of ABAC. The opening section is not quite the usual Code flowing opening melody seen in his previous works and is more of a showpiece using octave leaps and moving from the upper to the lower register of the instrument over one to two bars. The second section is more of a traditional nineteenth-century theme and variation style section leading into a technical cadenza. The opening section returns before a modulation from concert Bb major to concert B major for a march or fanfare like section to conclude the work.
Valse Caprice
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Valse Caprice
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1933
Duration: 7'15"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
Annotation: Valse Caprice is a virtuosic work opening with a traditional Code romantic melody which is played a second time with variation and ornamentation. A technical cadenza links into the second section, a tempo di valse in 3/4 time. A lively vivace section solo follows requiring clean tonguing and instances of multiple tonguing before a piano section flows into a reflective grazioso section. The tempo di valse section return moving into a flashy triple-tongued coda section and the conclusion of the work.
Zelda
Composer: Code, Percy - www.adb.anu.edu.au
Title: Zelda
Publisher: Potenza Music - www.potenzamusic.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1923
Duration: 7'15"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Preserving Code' by Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with Peter Baker, piano
Annotation: Zelda is Percy Code’s best-known solo work and has been performed and recorded by brass soloists all over the world for the past 100 years. It is in a caprice style and a real showpiece for the soloist. It opens with a melody which allows room for the soloist to show both musicality and technical skill before leading into a cadenza. A light rubato allegretto section builds through an accel poco a poco before a reflective amoroso section. A technical light section follows and shows the flexibility of the soloist before returning to the rubato allegretto from earlier. This builds into a quick coda section with quick double tonguing and a vivace extension of this double tonguing section to conclude the work.
Concert Gallop
Composer: Collins, Brendan - www.brendancollins.com.au
Title: Concert Gallop
Publisher: Hickmans Music Editions - www.hickmansmusiceditions.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano (brass band accompaniment available)
Date: 2010
Duration: 5'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Homeland' by Matthew van Emmerk
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Mahidol Brass Band)
Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with Caryl Conger, piano
Annotation: Concert Gallop began its life as a work for trumpet and piano as a flashy work to display both technique and musicianship of the soloist. It tells the romanticised story of the notorious Australian bushranger ‘Thunderbolt’. The galloping of horses is evident throughout and there are some beautiful moments where the bushranger is reflecting on lost opportunities and a life that might have been.
Euphonium Concerto
Composer: Collins, Brendan - www.brendancollins.com.au
Title: Euphonium Concerto
Publisher: Collins, Brendan - www.brendancollins.com.au
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and string orchestra (piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2010
Duration: 16'45"
Level: IV-V - University-Professional
Range:
Movements: 1. Allegro moderato; 2. Slow and dramatic; 3. Allegro vivace
CD Recordings: 'Homeland' by Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Scott Kinmont, euphonium with string orchestra (Lurline Chamber Orchestra)
Mvt 1, Mvt 2, Mvt 3
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Daniel Stipe, piano
Annotation: This concerto reflects the standard classical concerto form and uses many elements and techniques associated with the era. It also employs contemporary uses of tonality and changing metre. Many of the virtuosic runs that occur throughout the concerto are based on the whole tone scale.
The second movement is a beautiful cantabile piece that has an ever-present Spanish flavour. The singing quality of the euphonium is explored in all registers of the instrument and the strings provide much tension with their rich dissonances.
The final movement is a stirring march that demands the utmost precision, energy and flamboyance of the soloist and orchestra. It has an infectious exuberance that culminates in a presto section that leaves performers and audiences breathless.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Scott Kinmont in Sydney, Australia in 2010.
Encore Suite
Composer: Collins, Brendan - www.brendancollins.com.au
Title: Euphonium Concerto
Publisher: Australian Music Centre - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano (brass band accompaniment available)
Date: 2015
Duration: 10'30"
Level: IV - University
Range:
Movements: 1. Bailarina, 2. Broken Hearted Passicaglia, 3. Zouk
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Peter Baker, piano
Annotation: Encore Suite was inspired by the 2013 Sydney International Brass Festival. The concerts were incredibly exciting, and the composer had the idea of creating a suite of encore pieces. These pieces can be played as a suite or as three stand alone pieces.
The first movement is a lively and fast with elements of jazz throughout. The second movement shows the singing qualities of the euphonium in the middle and upper registers concluding with a cadenza. The final movement is in a fast disco style with two main musical ideas used in various octaves.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell in Melbourne, Australia in 2014.
Stomp
Composer: Collins, Brendan - www.brendancollins.com.au
Title: Stomp
Publisher: Australian Music Centre - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and wind band (piano accompaniment and brass band accompaniment available)
Date: 2015
Duration: 4'30"
Level: IV - University
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with brass band (Marion City)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Ensuk Jung, piano
Annotation: Stomp is a wild romp for euphonium and wind band (brass band and piano reduction available) that captures the spirit and raw energy of the traditional dance music of Ireland. From the first bar to the last, this rhythmically complex work is a technical blast for both soloist and ensemble. While there are extended sections of high intensity throughout the piece, the ‘catchy’ melodies are immediately accessible and there are occasions where the themes portray much beauty through their simplicity.
Utaki
Composer: Fitzpatrick, Mike
Title: Utaki
Publisher: Fitzpatricks Music Australia - www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and string quartet and piano
Date: 2007
Duration: 11'45"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Utaki - The Sacred Grove' by Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with Flinders String Quartet and Janis Cook, piano
Annotation: Utaki refers to a sacred grove in the Japanese Shinto region. Every village in ancient Japan had a Utaki, which was the centre of village religious life. Deities were believed to visit the Utaki at different times and for different reasons, but the village ancestors were believed to permanently reside in the Utaki. and this work is written in a single extended movement. This work is reflective and peaceful.
This stunning work is written in one extended movement and opens with the violins playing a motif which is later developed throughout the entire work as the piece progresses. It is not a technically demanding work for the euphonium soloist which allows space for the soloist to add their own musical identity to the work through phrasing and musical thought. Except for the bass line, which contains the entire scale, Utaki uses just five notes in a pentatonic scale style to provide a Japanese style sound.
The world premiere of this work was given by Matthew van Emmerik at the Melbourne International Brass Festival in 2007.
Harlequinade
Composer: Forsyth, Michael - www.kookaburramusic.com
Title: Harlequinade
Publisher: Kookaburra Music - www.kookaburramusic.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 1994
Duration: 7'05"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Harlequinade' - Brass Music of Michael Forsyth
Annotation: Composed especially for euphonium soloist Mark Howcroft in 1994, Harlequinade demands a high degree of virtuosity and musical sensitivity on the part of both the euphonium player and pianist. The overtly playful material of the opening returns throughout the piece after some reflective and dance-like sections in uneven metres. Often, the soloist and piano engage in a dialogue and occasionally indulge in pursuing each other to convey the theatricality suggested by the title.
Concertino for Euphonium
Composer: Hancock, Martyn - www.martynhancock.com
Title: Concertino for Euphonium
Publisher: Currently unpublished - Details from [email protected]
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and wind band (piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2014
Duration: 8'00"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
Movements: 1. Allegronon troppo; 2. Slow Waltz; 3. Allegro con spirito
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with wind band (Monash University Wind Symphony)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Kim Carbello (piano)
Annotation: Concertino for Euphonium consists of three movements with the first two played without break. The work explores a range of diverse harmonies hinting at both jazz and classical styles, which accompany and interesting melodic line that regularly shifts through diatonic, atonal and modal tonalities.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, USA in 2014.
Anastasia
Composer: Johnston, Helen
Title: Anastasia
Publisher: Level Music Publishing - www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1970-1974
Duration: 8'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Neath Austral Skies' - Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Kew Band Melbourne)
Annotation: Helen Johnston’s final composition for brass, this piece is based on the famous story of Anastasia Nikolaevna, the fourth daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. The solo has a strong Slavic influence and is written in the Czardas style, with its passionate melodies and every-changing tempos. The minor key prevails throughout and the solo is arguably the most challenging of all Johnston’s solo works, with many florid cadenzas and fast passages demanding a sound technique.
Anna Karenina
Composer: Johnston, Helen
Title: Anna Karenina
Publisher: Level Music Publishing - www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1953
Duration: 8'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Neath Austral Skies' - Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Kew Band Melbourne)
Annotation: Johnston’s first composition for brass instrument, the piece is based on Tolstoy’s famous novel which is reflected in all of the dramatic inflections that are included in this work. The work was specifically composed for the Championship Cornet Section at the famous Ballarat contest of 1953 and has an operatic feel to it with flowing melodies and interludes together with constantly changing tempo and mood and finishes in the obligatory high-speed presto favoured by exponents of the style.
Carrissima Mia
Composer: Johnston, Helen
Title: Carrissima Mia
Publisher: Level Music Publishing - www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1967
Duration: 8'30"
Level: IV - University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Neath Austral Skies' - Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Kew Band Melbourne)
Annotation: Carissima Mia translated from Italian to “My dearest” or “Beloved”, which sets the mood for the opening section with its passionate overtones, shortly after which a short but fiery tarantella engages the listener before another beautifully written romantic theme. A fanfare in the accompaniment heralds the return of the tarantella, which brings the solo to a rapid and exciting end.
Leonie
Composer: Johnston, Helen
Title: Leonie
Publisher: Level Music Publishing - www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 1953
Duration: 3'45"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
CD Recordings: 'Neath Austral Skies' - Matthew van Emmerik
YouTube: Matthew van Emmerik, euphonium with brass band (Kew Band Melbourne)
Annotation: Leonie is the only slow melody written by Johnston for solo brass and is a short concert work which is quite different from her other four solo brass compositions. It is written in the style of a waltz with variations and a short cadenza. The melody writing once again shows the elegant musicality of Johnston.
Magnifcat
Composer: Keeffe, David - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Title: Magnifcat
Publisher: Australian Music Centre - www.australianmusiccentre.com.au
Instrumentation: Bb instrument and piano
Date: 2015
Duration: 4'30"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
Annotation: Magnificat is a reflective and melodious short item in a pop-baroque style and is suitable for sacred and slow melody contests. The open recitative follows the rhythm of the traditional English translation of the original Latin text, and melody appears twice more in the work.
Rite of Passage
Composer: Lourens, Alan - www.uwa.edu.au
Title: Rite of Passage
Publisher: Cimarron Music - www.cimarronmusic.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and orchestra (brass band, wind band and piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2019
Duration: 6'00"
Level: IV-V - University to Professional
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Carol Conger, piano
Annotation: Rite of Passage is a set of short variations based on a theme from Paganini. The theme is initially heard on the piano with the euphonium highlighting this over the top as it moves into the first variation in which the euphonium takes over the theme and continues to vary it in the next section. Variation four is in a 3/4 bravura style which flows into variation five which is a detached pizzicato-like style variation. Variation six is essentially a cadenza which features modern extended techniques of multiphonics, use of half valve and playing into an open piano. Variation seven is the middle slower section of the work before the energetic variation eight leads into a reprise of the original theme, this time played by the euphonium. A vivace and prestissimo finale concludes the work with very demanding technical display.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the United States Army Band’s Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Washington DC, USA in 2020.
Essay for Euphonium
Composer: McAllister, Bill
Title: Essay for Euphonium
Publisher: Kookaburra Music - www.kookaburramusic.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 2003
Duration: 9'10"
Level: IV - University
Range:
Dedications: Written for James Brown
Annotation: Essay for Euphonium is in a modern playful style with a variety of colours and rhythmic patterns used. The middle slow section has hints of both jazz and movie music with the final section being a presto with tuned tom toms in a lively dance section. An extensive cadenza leads back into the lively dance feel previously heard.
Australian Folk Song Fantasy
Composer: Moule, Derek - www.noteburra.com
Title: Australian Folk Song Fantasy
Publisher: Noteburra - www.noteburra.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 2009
Duration: 5'00"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
Annotation: A challenging concert or contest piece, originally written for the composer's sister, Lauren. It is based on 4 Australian folk tunes; 'A Thousand Miles Away', 'Banks of Condamine', 'Eugowra Rocks' and 'Streets of Forbes' and explores the full range of pitch, dynamics and tonal qualities of the euphonium.
Pantheism
Composer: Mustafa, James
Title: Pantheism
Publisher: Currently unpublished - Details from [email protected]
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium, wind band and improvising jazz trio (piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2014
Duration: 6'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
Dedication: Commissioned by Fletcher Mitchell
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with wind band (Monash University Wind Symphony)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Kim Carballo, piano
Annotation: Pantheism is a symphonic rhapsody for euphonium, wind symphonic band and improvising trio. The work presents a number of lyrical melodies that are extensively developed through constant variation. As the piece unravels, both the audience and performers are challenged and engaged by harmonic density and modern polytonal writing. With elements of both jazz and classical romantic era harmony, this is a hybrid of harmonic flavours that creates a unique sound in performance.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, USA in 2014.
Indigo Contrasts
Composer: Palamountain, Chris
Title: Indigo Contrasts
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and wind band (piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2015
Duration: 8'00"
Level: IV - University
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with wind band (Melbourne Rainbow Band)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Eunsuk Jung, piano
Annotation: Indigo Contrasts was written for Fletcher Mitchell’s performance with the Melbourne Rainbow Band. The work is based upon a 12-interval row where all intervals between a minor 2nd and octave are used once only in the row. It features jazz, tango and funk styles throughout including a ‘busking style’ funk cadenza from the soloist.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell with the Melbourne Rainbow Band in 2015.
Moon Shadows
Composer: Palamountain, Chris
Title: Moon Shadows
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 2016
Duration: 4'30"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Tuomas Turriago, piano
Annotation: Moon Shadows is a jazz ballad and was inspired by a scene encountered by a cold, still, silent, beautifully moonlit winter’s night. It features beautiful melodies from the euphonium as well as some wonderful jazz chords played under pedal points from the euphonium.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the Lieksa Brass Week, Finland in 2019.
Euphoism
Composer: Preusker, Wayne
Title: Euphoism
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and brass band (wind band and piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2014
Duration: 5'30"
Level: IV-V - University to Professional
Range:
Dedication: For Fletcher Mitchell and the 2014 International Tuba Euphonium Conference held in Bloomington IN, USA
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with brass band (Hawthorn Band)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with wind band (Monash University Wind Symphony)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Rena Hashimoto, piano
Annotation: Euphonism was the first solo work from composer Wayne Preusker and is a great work that displays all of the melodic, technical and range capabilities of the euphonium. The theme is presented with the soloist’s first entrance and this is explored in a set of variations before a beautiful slow, melodic middle section which leads back to a quick third section, again based on the first theme. A cadenza using themes from throughout the work is heard before some final frantic bars conclude the work.
The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, USA in 2014.
Frantique
Composer: Preusker, Wayne
Title: Frantique
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and wind band (brass band and piano accompaniment available)
Date: 2014
Duration: 2'30"
Level: IV-V - University to Professional
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with wind band (Monash University Wind Symphony)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with brass band (Hawthorn Band)
Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Eunsuk Jung, piano
Annotation: Frantique is a short concert opener or encore work at a very lively pace. It is predominately in 3/4 time with bars in 5/8 at the end of several sections. The higher register is used throughout the work in combination with accented pulsing rhythmic pattern to add to the ‘frantic’ feel of the work.
The world premiere of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell with the Hawthorn Band in Melbourne, Australia in 2015.
Jackline
Composer: Preusker, Wayne
Title: Jackline
Publisher:FLM Music - https://fletchermitchell.com/flm-music/euphsolopiano/
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and piano
Date: 2014
Duration: 4'00"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with Kim Carballo, piano
Annotation: Jackline is a lovely simple melody which explores the rich middle and singing upper register of the euphonium. The world premiere performance of this work was given by Fletcher Mitchell at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, USA in 2014.
Farewell
Composer: Ratnik, Peter - Linkedin Profile
Title: Farewell
Publisher: Obrasso Verlag - www.obrasso.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium (option euphonim duet) and brass band
Date: 2012
Duration: 4'00"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
Annotation: Farewell is a melodic allegretto which is reflective in nature. After the initial theme is presented it is developed allowing the soloist to play expressively over the band. The band take the melody for a short section which leads into a modulation with the band only continuing with the melody. The soloist enters with an improvised style over the melody which continues in the band before taking the melody back from the band and into the final modulation and the conclusion of the work.
The New World Hymn
Composer: Ratnik, Peter - Linkedin Profile
Title: The New World Hymn
Publisher: Obrasso Verlag - www.obrasso.com
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and brass band (piano reduction available)
Date: 2012
Duration: 4'50"
Level: III-IV - High School to University
Range:
Dedication: Written for and premiered by David Childs and the Scottish Co-Op Band, conducted by Ray Tennant
Annotation: New World Hymn is a slow melodic work with a sweet, yet dark feel. The middle section is a forceful and emotive section for band only before the soloist enters again with the same mood of the opening but this time with more passion and drive.
Sterling Heights
Composer: Robinson, David
Title: Sterling Heights
Publisher: Currently unpublished - Details from [email protected]
Instrumentation: Solo euphonium and brass band
Date: 2015
Duration: 7'00"
Level: IV-V - University to Professional
Range:
YouTube: Fletcher Mitchell, euphonium with brass band (Hawthorn Band)
Annotation: This work depicts the journey of a hiker setting out to tackle a mountain such as Kilimanjaro, the Andes or even Mount Everest. The work comprises of 10 main sections each joined together to unite the epic journey.
The mysterious ‘Calm Before the Storm’ leaves the mountaineer discombobulated at how quiet and lonely the experience is. The minimalist style of writing creates the sensation of questioning what might happen. The calm makes way for erratic weather conditions and the dangerous path of ascent.
The ‘Treacherous Crossing’ exposes the hiker to the elements; and the unpredictable dynamics and melodies displays the full force of what ‘Mother Nature’ has to offer. The high altitude and low air pressure take its toll with the hiker experiencing the onset of ‘Altitude Sickness’. During this time the alpinist begins to feel dizzy depicted by the unstable trombone glissandi and the clashing chords with muted horns and cornets.
Sensing that the journey is ‘Approaching the Peak’, the excitement returns. The dizziness starts to dissipate, and the music portrays something big. The sights of looking out from the ‘Sterling Heights’ of the summit towering above everything, leaves the hiker feeling on top of the world. From the glorious tunes from the peak the journey has begun ‘The Descent’; as the hiker travels down the mountain slopes the flourishing tunes emulate a bustle of activity.
The successful and yet challenging journey comes to a close during the ‘Fatigued Triumph’. The costs of the expedition are immense, and the music emulates the shattered adventurer’s heroic return.