Steven Mead and the Italian Army Band (Banda dell'Esercito)
Repetoire
- Dulcamarata (Donizetti Variations) for Euphonium and Symph Band K.H. Koper
- Caro mio ben G. Giordani Arr. A. Bona
- Aria di chiesa "Pietà Signore" A. Stradella Arr. A. Barbagallo
- Vaga luna che inargenti V. Bellini Arr. A. Bona
- Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni V. Bellini Arr. A. Bona
- Ah, non credea mirarti V. Bellini Arr. A. Bona
- Ah, non giunge V.Bellini Arr. A. Bona
- A fors' è lui G. Verdi Arr. F. Creux
- Di Provenza il mar, il suol G. Verdi Arr. F. Creux
- Ave Maria G. Verdi Arr. F. Creux
- Vissi d'arte G. Puccini Arr. A. Bona
- Serenata E. Toselli Arr. T. Ruedi
- Preghiera F. Feliciangeli Arr. F. Creux
- Alla Czardas G. Orsomando Arr. F. Creux
- Variations on "Carnival of Venice" J.B. Arban Arr. D. Hunsberger
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Additional Info
Steven Mead has for some years visited Italy regularly, bringing his instrument to this country of music lovers who, it must be said, seem to have fallen in love with the sound of the euphonium. Thanks to his numerous visits to Italy (including Aosta, Milan, Trento, Bolzano, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Ancona, Bari, Calabria and Sicily), he has developed a musical affinity with the country, the people and their music. This unique CD is another landmark in the relationship between Mead and this country and for the growth of the popularity of the euphonium in Italy.
It has always been part of the Italian band music tradition to play pieces from the operatic repertoire using instruments, especially those of the saxhorn family, to “imitate” the human voice. This tradition began in the nineteenth century when, given the lack of radio and records, the band was the medium of broadcasting the fashionable melodies of operatic music in the town squares. Today Italian bands are following many different musical paths, including the current extensive repertoire of original pieces. Dedicating almost an entire CD to operatic Romances and Arias therefore has a double meaning: on the one hand it pays homage to this genre, whose intrinsic beauty defies description and on the other hand it does that which virtuosi and instrumental soloists all over the world have always done, that is to give a ‘voice’ to these immortal works through their instruments. The unique, inimitable sound of Steven Mead, who for the first time has recorded a CD with an Italian military band, is certain to be enthusiastically received.
Steven with the Banda dell'Esercito Italiano - Italian Army Band
Widely regarded as one of the finest wind orchestras in Europe the recording sessions followed in the three days following a magnificent live concert in the Teatro Massimo, to a capacity audience. The idea was a joint one between Maestro Creux and Steve Mead and one which further lifts the profile of the euphonium in Italy, which has seen a huge increase popularity in recent years. Steve's many concerts, workshops and teaching courses have raised awareness of the euphonium to Italian musicians and audiences and this CD is a culimination of about 7 years work since Steve's first ever visit to Italy at the Verso Il Millenio Tuba Euphonium Festival in Riva Del Garda.
This CD is to be called Beautiful Italy (Bella Italia) and will be the second CD to be issued on the Bocchino Music Label. Release date is set for mid June. Some photos from the live concert and recording are attached here. This promises to be a wonderful album that combines many beautiful lyric Italian arias, from composers such as Verdi, Bellini, Donizetti, Puccini with some truly remarkable technical solos at the end of the disc.
