Euphonium star David Childs is currently hard at work at his home in South Wales, putting the finishing touches to his preparations for the forthcoming world premiere of a new ‘Concerto’ by composer Johan De Meij.

UFO

Entitled ‘UFO Concerto’, the composer told 4BR that the exceptionally demanding work will test the world’s finest euphonium player to the very limit – just what is required for a performer whose playing he has described as being ‘out of this world’.

Johan told 4BR: "The UFO Concerto, which is my first solo work for euphonium is not a traditional concerto in the classical sense. It consists of five movements that are thematically related to one another."

Familiar

He added: "The opening chord may sound familiar to some listeners — based on the same five-note chord used in ‘Extreme Makeover’ and ‘Planet Earth’ in 2005: a major triad with an added 4th and a 7th. This chord has been obsessively present in my head ever since – and I could not resist using it again!

Both the chord and main theme make appearances in various shapes and forms throughout the entire piece. David Childs can make the euphonium sound out this world, so I had to make sure he does just that!"

I’m delighted Johan has finally written for the euphonium. He is a composer I’ve admired for a long time and since visiting New York back in 2010 he’s also become a good friendDavid Childs

Wind band version

Jason Ham, solo-euphonium player with the West Point Band (USA), initiated a consortium including David to commission the Concerto, which will be given its world premiere at the RNCM Festival of Brass in Manchester.

Jason, himself an outstanding euphonium soloist, will give the first performance of the Wind Band version on February 15th, in Baltimore with the Peabody Wind Ensemble, conducted by Harlan Parker.

Delighted

David told 4BR: “I’m delighted Johan has finally written for the euphonium. He is a composer I’ve admired for a long time and since visiting New York back in 2010 he’s also become a good friend. On behalf of the euphonium community I’d like to publicly thank and congratulate Jason Ham for bringing this commission together."

He added: "I consider it a great honour to be giving the work its first outing, but it is of course Jason’s Concerto and I’m looking forward to hearing him and many others perform it in the future."