Posted by Lee Dummer on February 20, 2004 at 19:56:55:
I would like to announce the publication of two new pieces for euphonium solo.
Balade by John P. Zdechlik, 3860 Van Dyke St Saint Paul, MN 55110
zde(AT)gbronline.com
John Zdechlik is a very well known composer whose music is performed by wind bands nationally and internationally. He has written this lovely piece for solo euphonium with either brass choir (3,3,3,0,1) or wind band accompaniment, and works equally well with either. This piece can be performed as either a featured solo or as an encore
This piece is written to exploit the sonorous sounds of the euphonium. Not technically challenging, this piece could be performed by the good high school performer. A short lyrical theme leads to an exposition section with accompaniment. The performer’s musical expression is further exploited in an expressive cadenza, leading into a recapitulation of the main theme with coda. The solo ranges from Bb to bb1. There is some rubato that needs to be worked out between the conductor and soloist.
The band accompaniment is scored for the accomplished high school or community band. Parts are quite often doubled, but the resulting sound is not thick. The score and parts are professionally typeset by the composer and are well laid out and quite readable.
Sentimentale by Joseph DeLuca arranged for solo euphonium and wind band by Jonathan Smith.
Lismore Music, Chalet Musette Chef Lieu,Thollon-Les-Mémises EVIAN 74500 France,lismoremusic(AT)wanadoo.fr
Joseph DeLuca was one of the series of famous Italian euphoniumists who performed and soloed with the Sousa Band after the turn of the 20th Century. An accomplished composer and arranger, DeLuca wrote many pieces for his own performance. Most of these solos/accompaniments have been lost to time (“Beautiful Colorado” being his one solo that is regularly performed today). This new arrangement for wind band and solo euphonium by noted arranger and euphoniumist Jonathan Smith (formerly of the Coldstream Guards Band) brings this wonderful DeLuca solo to light.
This solo contains all of the excitement and technical virtuosity that one would expect of a DeLuca solo. Sentimentale would be most appropriate for the college level performer or perhaps the adult community band soloist due to the stylistic demands of the piece and its range and endurance demands. The solo ranges from a G to c2, and should be performed with much rubato. Listing to solos of this era will certainly help in the preparation of this piece. This piece is of the same mold and character of “Beautiful Colorado”, but definitely has more contrast, more lyricism, and more interesting cadenzas.
The band accompaniment is scored for the very good high school or community band. Parts are quite often doubled, but the resulting sound is not thick. The score and parts are professionally typeset by the composer and are well laid out and quite readable.
For any euphoniumist who is looking for a change of pace in the realm of ‘traditional’ solos, this piece would certainly be the one to select.
Music may be obtained from the composers/arrangers.