A cornet solo inspired by the sultry atmosphere found in the back street dance clubs of Buenos Aires has won the RWCMD/CORY Composition Prize.

'Tanguero!' by Richard Hayden Taylor was performed by Stephanie Wilkins of recently crowned European Champion Cory — not once, but twice — at their recent concert at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff on the weekend, as it claimed the £250 prize presented by Kapitol Promotions.

Accessible

"It was such an atmospheric, but accessible solo work,"Cory MD Philip Harper told 4BR. "The standard of entries from all over the world was high and the three finalists were excellent. It was also brilliantly played by Stephanie!"

The 5-minute solo evokes the meandering sensuality of the tango with its accompaniment of the bandoneon band — something the composer, who is a huge fan of composers such as Astor Piazolla, certainly wanted to recreate.

Privilege

"It's music I really enjoy, so the opportunity to write a piece that brought that atmosphere to life was something I've wanted to do for some time. I've written a tango for a quintet but to write one for a brass band — and for Cory for that matter — was also a privilege."

It is the second high profile compositional award Richard has won this year, following his success with 'Weird Sisters' in the Junior to Intermediate category of the University of Salford Composers Competition.

Brilliant

"It has been a long time coming,"the 43 year old tuba player with Downton Band said. "I've been composing for about 10 years and have had works performed by the British Army Band, Brighouse & Rastrick and Foden's, but hearing Cory play my work was such a thrill.

My thanks go to Philip Harper and the band — and to Stephanie in particular. She was brilliant — and to play it again after it was announced as the winner was amazing. The pieces from the other finalists Iestyn and Geert were great, so it must have been such a difficult decision for the judges."

My thanks go to Philip Harper and the band — and to Stephanie in particular. She was brilliant — and to play it again after it was announced as the winner was amazingRichard Hayden Taylor

Excellent finalists

That was later confirmed by Philip Harper, who was joined in picking the winner by Philip Sparke, Kevin Price and Nigel Seaman.

"It was difficult,"Nigel said. "Geert Jan Kroon's 'Those Gazing Eyes' and 'Iestyn Harding's 'Light & Fast' were also excellent, but we felt 'Tanguero!' was the most complete work of the three."

'Tanguero!' will now be published by Wright & Round as well as being performed in concert by Cory and recorded on a forthcoming CD release.