Concertino CD recording featuring Steven Mead, euphonium, accompanied by the Lillestrom Musikkorps, conducted by Gert Buitenhuis. Order number QPRM131D, Polyphonic Reproductions, Ltd., P.O. Box 19292, London NW10 9WP, England, 1999. May be ordered from this website £10.50 Total time: 65:19.

Steven Mead's recent CD, Concertino, features a new work for euphonium and wind band by Rolf Wilhelm. This piece resulted from a chance meeting between Mead and Wilhelm while the two were attending the 1997 International Tuba/Euphonium Conference in Riva del Garda, Italy. Since the quantity of serious works written expressly for euphonium with wind band accompaniment is not extensive, Wilhelm's colourfully scored "Concertino" represents a highly welcome addition to the repertoire.

Mead writes in his liner notes: "It is just such a nice piece to play and although, at the age of 72, it is Rolf's first piece for euphonium, he seems to have got to the very core of the euphonium's personality." The three-movement work is already gaining popularity, as indicated by its inclusion as a required selection for the euphonium competition at the 1999 IWBC at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Mead performs a wonderful service to euphoniumists by recording new compositions such as this one. His commitment to increasing the written and recorded repertoire for the euphonium is unparalleled.

Next on the CD is a composition by Frode Thingnaes entitled "Peace, Please." In the style of light popular music, this selection provides greatest amount of contrast from the rest of the collection. Mead's performance of this piece brings forth the playful nature of the work.

According to Mead, Philip Sparke's "Fantasy" "is one of the most popular works in the [euphoniumist's] repertoire and one [he] had, to this point, not recorded." Written in 1978, "Fantasy" has only recently been re-orchestrated for wind band; the original scoring was for brass band accompaniment. Adding the option of wind band accompaniment will undoubtedly offer more performance opportunities for this exceptional piece. Mead's interpretations of Sparke's euphonium compositions set the standards for others to follow, and this performance is certainly no exception, as Mead's technical and expressive prowess is impeccable.

The exciting work, "Vintage," by David Gillingham is a virtuoso display of Mead's incredible range, technique, and musicianship. Mead calls the piece "a modern classic . . . filled with "romantic musical pictures, . . . fanfares, dramatic percussion features, and difficult rhythmic figures . . . ." Both Mead and the Lillestrom Musikkorps perform brilliantly.

The next two selections are "Lento" from Joseph Horovitz's "Euphonium Concerto" and "Russian Dance" by Oskar Bohme and arranged by Jonathan Smith. Though most often recorded with brass band or piano accompaniment, the "Lento" is a well-known favourite of euphoniumists. It is also a favourite of Mead's, and this setting with wind band adds sumptuous colors to his exquisite performance. "Russian Dance" represents the one and only transcription on this CD. Typically performed by trumpet soloists, this piece is very engaging and lively. Mead's style and energy on this work is enviable.

The final composition on this CD is the Derek Bourgeois "Concerto." Although the piece was originally written for trombone, Mead recalls: "I remember very clearly the day in 1982 when, while I was studying with Derek at Bristol University, he told me he had just finished a concerto for Christian Lindberg which he thought would also sound great on the euphonium - full of broad melodies, with no specific trombone slide effects and a fast last movement which would hopefully deter all "average" trombone players from attempting it!! How right he was." This composition has, indeed, caught on with euphoniumists, no doubt at least partly attributable to Mead's performances and recordings of it. Deserving of establishment into standard repertoire, the "Concerto" represents the work of a very gifted composer. Mead's performance is spectacular.

The choice of literature and Mead's stellar performance makes this CD a necessity for any serious low-brass aficionado's collection.

Dr. Sharon E. Huff, TUBA Journal Summer 2000