Composed: | December 2006-January 2007; arranged for brass ensemble: March 2010 | |
Duration: | ca. 5:45 min | |
Premiere: | June 16, 2007; Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts at Emory University; International Euphonium Institute 2007; Richard Prior, conductor | |
Forces: | Original tuba/euph ensemble: | 3 euphoniums, tuba |
Arrangement for brass ensemble: | 2 trumpets in C, horn in F; 2 trombones, tuba | |
Media: | Original tuba/euphonium quartet version (mp3) Performance video of the brass ensemble version (YouTube) Score sample (tuba/euphonium) Score sample (brass ensemble) |
|
LISTEN! |
Availability:
Score and parts of the original tuba/euphonium quartet are available for purchase at Euphonium.com. The brass ensemble arrangement is available for purchase through our Store.
NOTES
This short piece, originally scored for 3 euphoniums and tuba, was commissioned by Adam Frey for the International Euphonium Institute in June of 2007. The piece was re-arranged for extended brass ensemble in the spring of 2010.
It consists of 2 major parts of about equal duration:
The first movement (“Meditation”) is set to explore the lyrical and melodic qualities of the euphonium and features a chorale-like arrangement with all four voices moving in counterpoint, alternating in their individual rendering of the main motif and ending in a suspended chord that leads, attacca, into the second movement.
“Madness” is a fast and march-like movement with strong, often syncopated, rhythmic elements that incessantly drive the movement to its grand finale, which includes a brief restatement of the original lyrical theme from the first movement. – A truly fun and challenging piece.
VIDEO: The composer conducting ensemble “Il Brasso Magnifico” in a performance of the brass ensemble version of “Meditation & Madness” during the 2011 International Euphonium Institute conference at the Schwartz Center for the Arts at Emory University, Atlanta.