Euphonium Concerto (Jenkins)

From Wind Repertory Project
Karl Jenkins

Karl Jenkins


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General Info

Year: 2009
Duration: c. 23:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental


Movements

1. The Juggler - 5:55
2. Romanza - 5:00
3. It Takes Two
4. A Troika? Tidy! - 5:55


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Euphonium
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano 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
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (optional)
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V

(percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The euphonium has, for many years, been associated with the world of brass and traditional marching bands rather than that of the symphony orchestra or concert hall. Within brass bands it plays a central role, often being referred to as the cello of the band on account of its similarity in register to its stringed counterpart. In the last five years or so, these perceptions of the instrument have begun to change, largely due to the vision of one man: the young Yorkshire-born player David Childs who has done much to develop for it a new character in fitting with the twenty-first century. A major part of his campaign to win the euphonium new audiences has been to commission new pieces. One of the most important is Karl Jenkins’s Concerto, premiered in July 2009 at the Welsh Proms, Cardiff, by David Childs with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.

“Finding major composers willing to write for the instrument is the challenge,” said David Childs in an interview at the time of the premiere. “Karl’s work is very listenable, very virtuosic, typical of his style. I’m sure it will appeal to a broad musical population, which is the audience I’m trying to reach.” The Concerto was commissioned by Euphonium Foundation UK, an organisation set up by David Childs devoted to developing an understanding of the euphonium.

The Concerto is in four movements, lasting around twenty-five minutes. The first movement, The Juggler, immediately establishes a sense of fun, graphically bringing to mind both the ease of movement and lolloping suspense of the juggler’s art. The second movement, Romanza, is an unashamedly lyrical outpouring for the soloist, initially accompanied by strings and, later, the full orchestra. The third movement, It takes two ..., is a sultry tango-like melody with a particularly striking ending where the soloist both sings and plays the euphonium simultaneously. The work ends with A Troika. Tidy!: a galloping rhythm in the orchestra is joined by the soloist in the lowest register of the instrument in a troika (a traditional Russian dance which imitates the prancing of horses). A slow romantic episode briefly interrupts the music’s joie de vivre, out of which the soloist emerges with a cadenza of great brilliance (accompanied by two sleigh bells) leading to the Concerto’s rousing conclusion.

- Program Note by Peter Reynolds


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Ensemble (Paula Holcomb, conductor; Dalian Bryan, euphonium) - 15 November 2018
  • United States Army Band (Ft. Myer, Va.) (Richard K. Henebry, conductor; Donald Palmire, euphonium) – 6 February 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources