Joe Broom -- Euphonium Solo: Fantasia di Concerto by Eduardo Boccalari

Kevin Joel Broom performing Fantasia di Concerto by Eduardo Boccalari in July 2012.
More information below.
Fantasia di Concerto (1906)
Composer: Eduardo Boccalari (1859-1921)

This turn of the century solo is the oldest American euphonium concerto and it is considered one of the greatest pieces ever written for euphonium. Fantasia di Concerto is an 11-minute musical journey, exploring the capabilities of the euphonium.

This piece contains elements ranging from operatic, soaring melodies to energetic bolero sections (concluding with pyrotechnical flair). Eduardo Boccalari wrote a few passages with his home country, Italy, in mind (referring more to the operatic sections). 

The piece starts with a lonely statement by the euphonium (what I sometimes call a euphonium call) and builds on this theme throughout the melodic opening movement. About halfway through the opening movement, a second melody (which is developed later in the piece, in the bolero movement) is introduced. After the melody, the soloist sort of joins the ensemble, as he plays quick and delicate 32nd note passages that change the texture of the ensemble. This movement ends (slowly relaxing the 32nd note passages) with a singing high Bb.

The cadenza between the melodic opening and the bolero-based movement flows nicely between the two movements (subtly changing the mood and setting up the bolero movement). The bolero movement introduces a catchy theme (which is repeated at different parts during the movement) and opportunities to showcase some technique (I use circular breathing in some of the passages, which allows more extended phrases).

Within the bolero section is a variation on a main theme from the opening half of the piece (the melody is played in a similar style to the theme of the bolero, which creates a nice juxtaposition of the two themes). After this, a dramatic, solemn melody takes over and flows into the theme that began the movement. This journey (as I like to call it) ends with joyous triplet 16th notes (playing at a speed of about 720 notes per minute) and concludes on a high C (known as C5).
text ©Joe Broom 2013

You can purchase the sheet music here:
http://www.euphonium.com/store/solo-m...