Julian Perez my friend played the euphonium solo in the last movement in an all district band concert. A week later he was arrested and charged for the death of his mother last year.
I played the flute all through junior high, high school and college. While I was in junior high, I really really wanted to be in the high school band. Then, one day in my freshman year--I think it was the first day back from Christmas break--I walked into the bandhall and heard Danny Dantin playing the opening strains of this on his trumpet...and I knew I had ARRIVED!!! And there it was, sitting on our music stands!!! I don't think I will ever forget how Wes Canaday sounded on that euphonium solo!!! CHILLS!!!
One of the most underrated composers. A hidden gem. Holst's composition has that light touch that doesn't require one to be a classical music expert to appreciate. That's what I like about him. He's all about the beauty of melody. Unlike those Mozart compositions that the average listener can tolerate for just two minutes.
I really wouldn't call Holst an underrated composer. He is really famous for his planet series. Not so much for the suites but still it's not that he isn't liked or not regarded as a god composer.
Good point, dear friend. On the other hand it remains a fact that an average 12-year-old is more likely to have heard of Beethoven, Bach or Amadeus than of Holst. I feel he isn't given the recognition that a composer of his genius truly deserves. :)
Finally a euphonium solo that's played correctly and wonderfully!!! I've heard thousands of different bands play this and they all butcher the solo... It's supposed to be fluid, with sustained, FULLER notes that carry all the way through... For some reason, players chop it and/or tongue it too roughly, and play it too fundamentally... It's supposed to be played from the HEART, with EMOTION! If you learn the history of the song, and read the composer's cliffnotes, one would get a better feel for how it's MEANT to be played. (Think 2nd movement, NOT THIRD!) BEST rendition of the solo I've heard so far online!!! Coming from a lifelong euphonium musician.
Best in the world? Seriously? Wow, I had no clue... It most certainly makes sense. I'll never forget playing this song! My band director mentioned to me she had been waiting at least 20 years for a player like I, so she could play this song. Of course, I assumed she was being nice. For there were some extremely talented euphonium players before me, that I thought could have just as easily played this. Players I derived much guidance from! (Many told me this was a difficult piece. I thought it was the easiest masterpiece I ever performed simply because I loved it so much) However as my director told me "true talent does not lay in technique, it's found in the soul" I was young, so I didn't really understand what she meant. I believe I do now. She was responsible for teaching me MUCH more than music, the way the best teachers always do. #BlessUp
Played this during my freshman year and as a beginner clarinetist. Even though it was pretty challenging, this piece still holds a place in my heart.. It really makes your emotions go for a ride! Probably just my nostalgia talking. Out of the 4 movements,though, I'd have to say the 2nd one's my fave. The oboe solo is just freaking beautiful!
This is my favorite piece of all time. I played it a year ago during a really good time in my life and it just brings back so many good memories.. And it's so beautiful.. I play alto sax and my part was really fun.. Finally a piece that gives saxophones a fun part.
Thank you for posting the whole thing. My high school band played this my senior year, and it has fond memories... Although I remember at the time, I would've given anything to have our oboe player play HALF as well as this one!
my concert band played this back when I was a sophomore in high school! I've always loved the second movement...I just wish trumpet got more play time..
I absolutely loved playing this in high school it was definitely one of my favorite pieces, to this day I still partially have it memorized especially the first movement
In the late 60s, I had the great good fortune to play this wonderful piece under the magnificent direction of the late, great John B Robbins. The esprit de corps was beyond compare.
You've Been Subbed To You're lucky to actually be playing the solo on the instrument it was made for; it is hard to mimic a valved instrument as a trombonist.
It was my privilege in college to have a friend that was nearly a virtuoso on Euphonium as a freshman and boy did he milk this solo. It sends chills up my spine thinking of his fine sound almost 50 years later.
had to play that euphonium solo in my sophomore, could never hit the highest note in the solo, my band director called it the infamous note of the euphonium, hated that i could never it but i loved the song
When we played this in high school, in mvmt3 the percussion section used a brake drum and a big metal mallet, and it actually sounded like a hammer and anvil. This recording sounds like they used a triangle!
I play clarinet and I Learned this song in 8th grade and played it as a freshman. the fourth movement was pretty hard for me because we went pretty fast lmao.
I've played the 1st Holst Suite 5 times with 4 different ensembles. Played the Vaughan-Williams Folk Song Suite with 2 different groups, played William Byrd, Children's March with 2 groups, Molly on the Shore, Linconshire with 2 groups, Colonial Song, Shepherd's Hey w/ 2 groups, Hammersmith... Still never played the 2nd Suite in F.....and I'm a Euphonium player :(
And here I thought we were the only group that played Molly on the Shore. I had to play both Timpani and Mallets at the same time during the song. Lots of running across the stage mid-performence.
+Tess Lopes The low brass part is actually based off of Greensleeves at this point of the piece, which is the tune that what child is this is based off of.
So we played first suite in E flat and this year I thought we were playing this but we aren't so I asked why. And he told me to pay attention to the second movement and then it hits me. We don't have a good oboe player..
We played this at AIBF (band fesitval) 2 years ago and most schools in my city skip the third movement....we didnt we worked so hard on the third movement. I miss band this was fun....
Practically speaking though one can cover the other and vice versa, correct? Also the note fingerings are the same I believe so any baritone player can cover euphonium, right? Sort of like a B-flat clarinetist covering an A-clarinet - it's the exact same fingerings, clef, etc, just slightly different instrument.
For years, I've wondered if the final movement wasn't a political statement, given when the suite was written (An Irish jig mingled with an English folk song is rather suggestive in that light).
