Cory soprano cornet star Steve Stewart has just taken a well-earned mini-break after putting the final touches to his eagerly awaited debut solo CD 'Over the Horizon', which is due to be released at the British Open Championship next month in Birmingham.

Looming distance

However, as he told 4BR, after three days without his Stomvi sop he is keen to return to action as the second half of the 2017 contest season also looms in the near distance.

"The final track for the release was Malcolm Arnold's unaccompanied 'Fantasy for Trumpet', which is a beast — so I needed the break after that!

It was also the final part of a project that I've worked on since May last year to ensure everything was right — so I'm now eager to start all over again."

The CD will see Steve featured on eight original works for the instrument accompanied by Cory Band under Philip Harper — from classic 1970s showcase repertoire from Edward Gregson and Philip Sparke, with 'Rhapsody for Eb Soprano' and 'Capriccio', to a new 20-minute concerto written for him by Dan Price.

It will also feature substantive works from Darrol Barry, Chris Bond and Ken Ferguson.

Musical possibilities

"I wanted the CD to both look back as well as explore the future of the instrument as a major solo voice.

I want it to make a significant impact with original compositions in creating new avenues of musical possibilities,"Steve added.

"That's why Dan's concerto includes me playing on the Stomvi 4 valve soprano, as in opens up new textures in the lower range of the instrument as well as touching the heights, whilst Chris and Ken's works explore exciting new lyrical aspects as well as technical challenges."

I want it to make a significant impact with original compositions in creating new avenues of musical possibilitiesSteve Stewart

Title track inspiration

The title track 'Over the Horizon' comes from the pen of Cory Composer in Residence, Christopher Bond and is inspired by the view Steve wakes up to each morning close to the beautiful Amroth Beach near Tenby in Wales.

"I'm lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world, and even luckier that both Chris, and my partner Rachel have also been inspired by it.

His writing and her painting of that view give the CD a personal aspect that has inspired me along the way."

British Open release

'Over the Horizon' will be released by World of Sound recordings at the British Open in September, and will feature original repertoire for the instrument.

Image credit: Chris Howley