David Childs second 'Symphonic Euphonium' CD

[RickF]

... is coming out in 2019. This recording was done in Manchester, England with the BBC orchestra. Concertos by Edward Gregson, Michael Ball and Paul Mealor, as well as the first euphonium recording of the Ralph Vaughan Williams - F Minor Tuba Concerto. The RVW was taken up a fourth for David by arranger Rodney Newton. Can't wait until it's out!

15 min video by 4barsrest:

[JakeGuilbo]

To have the letters from RVW suggesting taking it up a 4th for Euphonium is certainly exciting! Hope they don't make too many other changes, but the original is super fun to play on Euph as written!

[JakeGuilbo]

Here is the VW response to the original request to take it up a fourth / rearrange for Military and Brass Band and to be played on Euphonium:
http://vaughanwilliams.uk/letter/vwl3065

He appears to respond favorably provided it was a complete re-orchestration.

Also another letter shows he gives his approval for Euphonium to perform the 2nd movement as written and scored:
http://vaughanwilliams.uk/letter/vwl2861

[RickF]

It remains to be seen how well it sounds. Pretty sure the orchestra wasn't crazy about the new key, but I think it will sound great on euphonium... especially with David performing it.

[Simes]

The broadcast of the new Gregson Concerto was stunning, at the RNCM. David Childs’ playing was as sublime as you might expect, and this was well worth the wait. Truly a wonderful Concerto by master musician who properly understands the capabilities of the instrument rather than simply pushing technical boundaries for the sake of it. I’d become disenchanted with a lot of modern concertos because it seemed to me little or no thought was given to heritage or repeat performances, and often just seemed to be another “premiere” or “commission” notch on the musical bedpost, as it were.

This new Gregson piece keeps the tradition of the accessible Euphonium Concerto alive, following the path set by Horowitz and continued by John Golland and Philip Wilby.

As for the Vaughan Williams? It’ll be an interesting listen, certainly.

[JakeGuilbo]

Here is the link to purchase the CD - it doesn't come out until November 1st but you can hear samples of the VW and Gregson, interesting stuff!
https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...c-euphonium-ii

[RickF]

Thanks Jake. Just ordered mine.

[cochranme]

I’m really excited about a playable version of the VW concerto on the euphonium. It presents an interesting question for the soloist: How much should my interpretation be influenced by tuba performances of the piece? My initial thought is that a completely different approach (articulation, note length, vibrato, etc.) might be better on the euphonium rather than just trying to sound like a smaller tuba. Really interested to hear what David does with it.

[ann reid]

How soon could study copies of the manuscripts be available in the US? Specifically the VW and the Gregson, but I’d be interested in all 4.

[JakeGuilbo]

@Martin - I completely agree. Based on the samples, David does a remarkable job tailoring the VW as if it were an original Euphonium concerto.

@Ann - I asked David via twitter but didn't get a response. I want to buy the VW and Gregson as well!

[Davidus1]

Here is the link to purchase the CD - it doesn't come out until November 1st but you can hear samples of the VW and Gregson, interesting stuff!
https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...c-euphonium-ii

Hey, thanks for sharing this link! Much appreciated.

[rumhud]

I've been listening all morning. I really want to love the Vaughan Williams, I love the original version and I'm all for the idea, I really am. And the performance is spectacular. But I just can't seem to wrap my ear around the new key and the brightness of the resulting sound. Does anyone else have that problem? I feel like the piece in the original key is actually not terribly suited for euphonium already, with a few octave displacements.

Am I just being a curmudgeon? Like I said, I really want to like this.

[RickF]

Just got my copy of this CD and started listening. So far it sounds great (love David's playing of the cadenza in mv 1 of the RVW).

You can now purchase / download the mp3 files from the link shared earlier.

[aroberts781]

Regarding rumhud's observations, I had never listened to the Vaughan Williams tuba concerto before listening to this version for euphonium. To my uninformed and unbiased ear, I thought it sounded good in this new key. After giving this version a few good listens, I did some back and forth listening between recordings of the original tuba version and the euphonium version, and to me they are both enjoyable.

There are some elements of solo euphonium repertoire that I don't always love, and there are some moments in these recording that fall into that category for me, but in general I have really enjoyed that album. I love the boldness of the opening movement of the Gregson concerto, and I think the the cadenza of the Mealor concerto sounds really cool and unique.

Anyways those are some of the highlights for me, I'm interested to hear what others think.

[RickF]

Having now listened to the entire CD I have to say my favorite is David Child's performance of Paul Mealor's Euphonium Concerto (2017). Some movements are very melodic and others unbelievably challenging. All exquisitely played! What a great piece for euphonium! If you haven't purchase this CD I urge you to consider doing so. It's excellent!

You can get a sample of this new concerto here:

World Premier of Paul Mealor's euphonium concerto

CD quality is of course better
...