Here are two reviews , from The British Bandsman (Kenny Crookston) and 4Barsrest.com (Iwan Fox)
Rococo Variations, Steven Mead (euphonium), Whitburn Band
Andrew Duncan (conductor)
Cameron Murdoch (piano)
Bocchino Music BOCC114
Available from http://www.euphoniumstore.net/store/product=6/ and www.justforbrass.com
Steven Mead's worldwide reputation as a euphonium soloist is as impeccable as his diary is full, with high-profile performances andrecordings across the globe making him among the busiest and most sought-after products
of the brass band world to emerge in recent decades. With an outstanding portfolio of award-winning recordings to his name covering many of the cornerstones of the euphonium repertoire, as well as few hidden gems that he has managed to uncover over the years, perhaps the greatest ongoing challenge for such a prolific artist is finding new material
that provides the listener with a balanced and contrasting experience, while still remaining musically satisfying. This he does in spades on Rococo Variations, which he recorded in May this year, accompanied by Whitburn Band
under Andrew Duncan's assured baton.
Soloist and band announce their considerable presence in Luc Vertommen's arrangement of Saint-Saëns' Allegro Appassionato Op. 43 for Cello and Orchestra, with Steven Mead on characteristic form in this popular work by the
great French composer. Rather more surreal is the same arranger's version of The Song of the
Birds, a Catalan folk song (also with links to the cello through its dedicatee, Pablo Casals) based on a carol that would represent an oasis of calm in any programme, and this one is no exception, allowing Steven Mead an opportunity to
demonstrate his absolute control when playing even the quietest of dynamics.
Continuing with the cello theme, the titular Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33 by Tchaikovsky is, at over 17 minutes in duration, the major work on the recording. Featuring the euphonium in a variety of styles and extending
the band's accompanying skills in no small way, much of the challenge is in recreating the approach of the original version, which itself was an homage to Mozart. Even although it has often been referred to as the ‘cello of the brass band', for the euphonium to carry off such an undertaking along with a brass band also requires an outstanding arrangement,
and this one by the renowned Swiss exponent of the instrument, Thomas Ruedi, provides an appropriate platform for a remarkable performer to display the many tools in his bag. Walking on Music, an attractive work in a lighter
style by the Belgian composer, Roger Derongé, was written for another continental virtuoso,
Stef Pillaert of Brass Band Willebroek, and is accompanied by lower band only. Vintage, by
the American composer, David Gillingham, was originally composed for euphonium and wind orchestra and is here rescored for brass band and piano accompaniment by Vernon Briggs. Sitting above a committed backing from the band, the soloist takes the listener on a dramatic journey culminating in an extended cadenza, but somehow still manages to make it all sound remarkably simple. Another change of mood comes by way of a tribute to Goff Richards in the great Cornish composer and arranger's Pilatus, which was written in 1993 for Steven Mead himself. Peter Graham's Canaan's Land, which follows, is another challenging work written for the Salvationist soloist, Derick Kane. Again in contrasting moods, the central lyrical section (A little star peeps o'er the hill) is played with considerable beauty.
The disc closes as it opened, with two arrangements by Luc Vertommen - Massenet's The Last Sleep of the Virgin and Carmen Fantasy from Bizet's opera. In keeping with the rest of the programme, contrast is the key and the long, arching phrases in the former are a perfect foil for the virtuosic ‘party-piece' that follows.
An excellently engineered product by Richard Scott and Keith Farrington, this is yet another ‘must have' for, although most certainly not limited to, all lovers of the euphonium. With BB's recordings of the year due to be determined in the next few weeks, this is sure to be among the main contenders for the solo award.
Kenneth Crookston
Courtesty of the British Bandsman
Rococo Variations CD review
Iwan Fox, www.4barsrest.com
Rococo Variations CD
Steven Mead
Whitburn Band
Bocchino Recordings: CDBOCC114
Total Playing Time: 73.57
You just can't keep Steven Mead out of the limelight.
This latest release is another high profile affair that once again puts his hard earned reputation as a world class performer on the line - this time with a selection of repertoire that demands as much of him as it does the informed listener.
It is a rewarding experience too.
Musical explorer
An inveterate musical explorer, ‘Rococo Variations' sees him open up yet another musical route of rich, inventive material: diverse stop off points of Saint Saens and Tchaikovsky, Massenet and Bizet, Deronge, Richards, Graham and Gillingham - helped in no small measure by the skilful arrangements of Luc Vertommen.
Accompanying him on this particular journey is the Whitburn Band, on good form too, playing with restraint and style, precision and technical nous, whilst the overall package has the usual high class post production values - from Richard Scott's excellent recording work to the comprehensive and informative sleeve notes.
Enticing
Although the release bears the Rococo title not all the works derive from this musical genre of delicacy and elegance. However, the balance of styles is every bit as enticing and beautifully realised in execution.
The opening track is a joyous romp of technical fun and games - Saint-Saens dynamic ‘Allegro Appassionato', originally written for cello, but something of a perfect match for the nimble, facile approach of the soloist.
That is followed by the haunting, ‘The Song of the Birds', a bleak, austere folk song of cold beauty, played with evocative simplicity.
Immense
The major work of the release comes with the immense ‘Variations on a Rococo Theme Opus 33' by Tchaikovsky, masterfully arranged by Luc Vertommen.
This really is a tour de force, and not just in terms of stamina and amply lives up to the ‘Rococo' term. This is ‘rockwork' of subtle variation, malleable in texture, full of nuance and wit, delicately moulded and phrased. It is performed with stylish appreciation and is a remarkable piece of inventiveness.
Contrast
In contrast the trio of items that follow are a curious mix - but refreshingly so.
The Deronge ‘Walking on Music' demands a lyrical sense of control only the very best soloists can deliver (and we are not disappointed here), whilst the Gillingham‘Vintage', is a highly inventive, if ever so slightly odd bit of pastiche homage - from mock Bernstein to Europop.
Mix
The typically melodic ‘Pilatus' (a mountain overlooking Lucerne rather than a mix of Biblical Roman Governor meets middle class exercise regime) by Goff Richards is equally original, if not quite as oblique in construction. The rather sugary textures never quite stir deep waters in the emotional core though, despite the soloists cultured phrasing and warm tonality.
Peter Graham's ‘Canaan's Land' was originally written for the ISB's top euphonium star Derick Kane as a triptych showcase. The source material is cleverly realised, but in Steven's hands there is an extra touch of non conformist zip and mischief in what is a bravura performance.
Sultry
So too the final items that round off the release - a lovely rendition of the popular,‘The Last Sleep of the Virgin' and a real old sultry bit of cigar rolling sensuality in‘Carmen Fantasy' - which swaggers with a fiery undercurrent of destructive femininity that attracts weak men to ladies with loose morals likes moths to a flame.
It should come with an 18 only certificate.
Iwan Fox
courtesy of www.4barsrest.com