Texas comes to the UK

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:14 pm

Premiere; (in the presence of the composer)

Concerto for Euphonium, Kenneth D. Friedrich (Texas USA)

Soloist; Charley Brighton (Sponsored by Willson Band Instruments of Switzerland)

Sunday, January 28th. St. Eanswythe Church, Folkestone, 3pm

with the Christ Church Canterbury University Wind Orchestra
Conducted by Prof. Sonia Blandford

The composer writes;
â€œWhen I sat down to write this (the piano version), I wasn't even sure it would turn out to be a concerto. It took me on a journey with every measure.

The first theme told me right away this wouldn't be like the other solos. The interval leaps for the soloist were unlike anything I'd ever written before. But it was a catchy theme, so I pressed on.
Themes became sections, and as one section passed into another, I knew this was going to be more than a normal concert level, single-movement piece. I was worried most of it's play-ability. When I finished the band version, I knew this was meant to be the large scale work it is now.

When the theme of the middle movement came along, it was the perfect contrast to the real challenge of movement one. Along with the accompanying lines, it became a song of the heart...an emotional journey of self-analysis and search for fulfilment. The highs and lows reflected the struggle to deal with these emotions.

The final movement worked off the emotion of the middle movement and just answers the question of how serious to take ourselves. Amidst the turmoil of our daily lives, sometimes we have to take a moment to laugh at ourselves, and relieve the stress. The extremes in range in the cadenzas were included to show the possibilities of such a versatile instrument.â€

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:16 pm

Best wishes to Ken and to all connected with the performance. Ken is one of TubeNet's own("knuxie").

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:40 am

Thanks Ken, yes, that was some weekend!

Finally been able to get an appointment at the Docs to see about this damn throat infection (it now hurts to talk, which pleases Sue!) as I have rehearsals & concert this weekend with City of London Winds.

Initial Folkestone pics posted here;

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/ ... ?start=all

Another good result from the weekend is that I will be getting to do some single day brass tuition at the Uni. this year.

CB

Brassworks 4 · Post by **Brassworks 4** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:11 am

Welcome back Ken! Glad to hear your trip was a success.

zeign7 · Post by **zeign7** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:23 pm

Sounds like it was a blast! Congrats to all who were involved! I wish I could've been there myself.

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:55 pm

The Live recording is now online at;

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?so ... 069&T=6971

CB

Highams · Post by **Highams** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:47 pm

Thanks Doc, very kind of you.

I consider myself very lucky to get to play many great US pieces first-hand over here, with Ken, Joe Miserendino, Seth Jervis and now young Ted Messerschmidt from Virginia;

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=944222&t=3924

CB