Description
Written for and premiered by the Leyland Band with euphonium soloist Philippe Schwartz in 2010, Midnight is a haunting euphonium solo which features the engaging combination of lyrical melodies and strident energy.
The piece opens with peaceful serenity and then moves towards an energetic and exciting passage which really showcases the soloist and the band alike. Lots of percussion highlights are included in the scoring which adds immense depth to the writing. Following is a return to an atmospheric spotlight on the soloist, developing into an impressive cadenza and eventually closing with the original tranquility.
Comments by the composer, Lucy Pankhurst, on writing collaboratively for a band:
“I didn’t intend to tailor [this piece] specifically, other than knowing I could pretty much write whatever I wanted to for the band and soloist. They are such great players and have a cracking percussion section. The only stipulation I was given was for something ‘atmospheric’. This is actually one piece that I started at the first bar and composed chronologically. Everything grew from the opening marimba ostinato.”
Midnight is featured on the Leyland Band CD – Age of Chivalry.
