Edwardian Euphonium

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello everyone,

When I am not not playing my Euphonium my other passion is history. I am very lucky to have a number of friends around the same age as me and we form one of the leading living history groups in The United Kingdom but we mainly focus on private events and research.

I am currently looking for a period correct Euphonium made between 1900 and 1917 and I was wondering if anyone had any tips where I could source an instrument fitting this criteria?

One of the things which I have really wanted to explore is the Euphonium of the Edwardian period and the military bandsmen of The First World War. I have spent the past few years getting an authentic uniform and all that I have left to get is some leather equipment and of course source a Euphonium which I can have fully restored. I will have to consider if I will add a large mouthpiece receiver and also if I will use a period correct mouthpiece but these are all small points to be considered.

What I really wanted to ask is if anyone knew of any Euphonium Solo’s from this period which were played by British Euphonium players?

I have found a few bits and pieces but I have hit a bit of a brick wall with this process.

Best Wishes,

Micah Dominic Parsons

[daruby]

Ok Micah,

Now you are definitely in Charley Brighton's backyard when it comes to historical instruments.I am certain that when you say "Edwardian" instruments, you are talking about British instruments. Thus, charley is the source and the expert when it comes to vintage British euphoniums. And of course he has a fantastic collection.

Doug

[Jim Babbitt]

Hi Micah,
Musical Instrument City of Rangeley, Maine periodically has some interesting older stuff.
Some years back I picked up a Besson 4v non compensator from him.
Horn is circa 1903-1908 marketed in the US by Carl Fischer.
It may have been HP converted to LP.
They periodically list vintage stuff on E-Bay. Also, Google can still find them.
Good Luck with your search.
Jim

[1Cor13:4]

I'm pretty sure this Hawkes and Son is from 1913 according to the serial number 39936?

It's a Dictor compensating 4 valve

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-4...UAAOSwzExgZFrA

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for your help. I am going to contact Charley Brighton and I will try and keep you all updated on how this project is going.

Best Wishes,

Micah Dominic Parsons

[MarChant]

I would surely try to get a hold on that Hawkes "Dictor" 1Cor13:4 spotted! Bids are low now, but I'm sure they will get higher as the end of listing approaches, but if you're lucky you could get a good deal out of it. The crease in the bell looks like a good repairman wouldn't have too much trouble straightening it out.

As for period solo music, I've been searching the net for some info.
- Came across this interesting file: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/...ws_1903_12.pdf
There is mention of a solo piece for "cornet, trombone or euphonium" called "Thou'rt passing hence" by Arthur Sullivan. Also listed is a whole bunch of solos for cornet, as well as trombone, horn and soprano. No further mention of euphonium solos unfortunately.
- Another interesting piece of history is this: https://www.fodensband.co.uk/assets/...ngs-sep17.pdf?. It mentions a euphonium solo piece (performed in 1936, but written by Brinley Richards who lived in the late 19th century) called "Windsor's last waltz".
- Also, they performed in 1910 and 1912, "The Gypsy's warning" by Hartmann. I figure other songs by Hartmann (like "Robin Adair" or "Rule Britannia") would be suitable as well.
Robin Adair https://youtu.be/V6RY22sHmyI
Rule Britannia https://youtu.be/5mbD3BVgxlw
- In 1914, they performed "La belle Americaine" also by Hartmann https://youtu.be/p9JVmTXaU24
- In 1918, they performed "The British Grenadiers", again Hartmann
- In 1919, they played "Jenny Jones" (presumably Rimmer https://youtu.be/NoKxzz5t9No) but the jury was not impressed: "Arthur Webb borrowed his brothers Euphonium for the event but failed to impress
the judges with a slip up in the tune “Jenny Jones” (Arthur Webb was in fact a Tenor horn player)

Well, I think by now you might have an idea of the solo pieces that could be performed on Euphonium in that period. Hope this helps.

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello everyone,

I think I may have sourced a perfect Euphonium for what I have planned to use it for and I just wanted to thank you all for your help.

Thank you so much MarChant for all the links as well, I shall take a look through these and hopefully try to find some suitable material.

Best Wishes,

Micah Dominic Parsons

[aroberts781]

On an almost unrelated note, my wife and I have been watching this documentary-ish series where some historians reenact life on an Edwardian farm. All that to say I feel slightly more interested in Edwardian period things than I would have otherwise and I'm looking forward to hearing more about this project, Micah!

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello Aroberts781,

I really hope you are well. My overall plan is to try and recreate a living history impression of a bandsman serving with one of the infantry battalions within The 143rd Infantry Brigade during The First World War, I have all the correct uniform and I just have to get a few specialist bits of kit. During The First World War, bandsmen would often be used to remove casualties from the front line, when you seen drummers being killed in action then they have probably had to go up the line to retrieve a wounded soldier so it was quite a risky business but once they were out of the line the role of a bandsman was quite varied so I am really hoping that when I have completed the resoration of my period instrument that I will be able to undertake this project to try and recreate an accurate impression of what it would have been like and I hope it will also encourage other people to explore this period as well.

Best Wishes,

Micah Dominic Parsons

[1Cor13:4]

Very interested to see your project.

This ~1919 Hawkes & Son Dictor is still up for sale if someone is interested. It's nearing the end of the auction and seems like a good deal so far. Too bad it's only local shipping to the UK:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-4...UAAOSwzExgZFrA

[Micah.Dominic.Parsons-OFFLINE]

Hello Cor,

I have been putting all the ground work in on this project and I hope to try and produce something to show everyone within the next few months.

Thank you for all your help and support.

Best Wishes,

Micah Dominic Parsons