Review for Euphonium Magic 2

Euphonium Magic Volume 2 is Steven Mead's latest album and the sequel to his wildly popular first release Euphonium Magic. I spent 54 minutes one Sunday afternoon reviewing the album and must say that Mead has done it again... magic that is. My three recommendations before running out to buy this CD are: first make sure to have some protection, such as sun screen, to save you from the blistering fast technique that you will hear in tracks such as Thomas Dos' A la Romance. Secondly have your tissues handy! Just because this album is multi-tracked does not mean that it is not musical; Morgens Anderson's And Soon It Will Be Blossom Time may bring tears to your eyes. Lastly read Steven's biography, note that he does sing... but I'll leave that for you to learn on your own.

At this point, in case you have not heard the first CD, I should note that this is a multi-tracked recording. Steven plays everything from quartets to full tuba and euphonium ensemble pieces containing sixteen parts with himself! The sound that you are going to hear is a homogeneous one in all aspects of playing. Articulation, tuning, and phrasing are perfectly together as if Steven were there conducting well... 5, 6, 9, or 11 other Steven Meads. One could spend all day describing the tracks that must be heard on this album but I will simply note Emily Harris' great arrangement of The Simpsons, as well as Maurice Bale's must hear take on the Finale to Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Needless to say, when you listen to Steven Mead you are hearing excellence. This is a wonderful compilation between arranging, performing, and mixing. Though I will leave the album cover and art for you to decide, what you will be hearing is magic!

David Ball, Tubanews.com - Visit www.tubanews.com