Rhapsody for Euphonium and Band

From Wind Repertory Project
Jim Curnow

James Curnow


General Info

Year: 1978 / 1999
Duration: c. 5:55
Difficulty: IV (solo), III (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Curnow Music, Inc.
Cost: Score and Parts - $79.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Euphonium (Bass Clef & Treble Clef)
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bar Chimes
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Originally written by the composer as a teaching piece for his own euphonium students, Rhapsody for Euphonium is dedicated to the memory of the composer’s teacher, Leonard Falcone. Since its first release in 1978, Rhapsody for Euphonium has gone on to become a very important part of the euphonium literature.

The composition begins with an unaccompanied soliloquy by the soloist. This beautiful melody, set in the Dorian mode, establishes the molto espressivo style of the first third of the composition. Six measures later, the ensemble enters, playing undulating rhythmic patterns that help to create intensity. The solo continues with the euphonium presenting musical material, which is imitated and answered by the accompanying ensemble.

The second third of the composition features an exciting scherzo that presents call and response type statements between the soloist and the ensemble. Contrasting dynamics, exciting syncopation and fast-paced sixteenth passages also highlight this portion of the solo.

The last section of the solo features the extremely melodious tone of the euphonium in a lovely obbligato passage. This obbligato flows over melodic material from the first third of the piece. Via a rapid accelerando, the solo moves into a brilliant coda, which recapitulates many of the thematic ideas from earlier passages.

-Program note from score


Media

Reference recording: soloist and ensemble unknown


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Angelo State University (San Angelo, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Jonathan Alvis, conductor; Jacob Peterman, euphonium) - 12 November 2023
  • University of Iowa (Iowa City) University Band (Myron Peterson, conductor; Drew Bonner, euphonium) - 10 April 2023
  • Mount Vernon (Ohio) Nazarene University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (John Packard, conductor; Jeremy Smith, euphonium) - 23 April 2022
  • State University of New York, Potsdam, Symphonic Band (Brian K. Doyle, conductor; William Sutton, euphonium) – 21 November 2019
  • Montgomery County Concert Band (Hatfield, Penn.) (Chuck Neidhardt, conductor; Jan Jochems, euphonium) – 23 April 2019 (ACB 2019 Annual Convention (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.))
  • St. Cloud (Minn.) State University Wind Ensemble (Catherine Bushman, conductor; Ryan Anselment, euphonium) – 20 March 2018
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Edward Cumming, conductor; Bonnie Denton, euphonium) – 11 February 2018
  • Cuesta Wind Ensemble (Jennifer Martin, conductor; Carlos Gama, Jr., euphonium) - 12 December 2012
  • Woodland (Calif.) Community Band (Bobby Rogers, conductor; Steve Drivon, euphonium) - 4 June 2011
  • West Virginia State University (Institute) Wind Ensemble (Scott E. Woodard, conductor; Kenneth W. Morrison, euphonium) – 15 April 2010
  • Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Jeff W. Ball, conductor) - 14 March 2010
  • Omaha Symphonic Winds (William Hall, conductor) - 28 February 2010


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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