Fantasy for Euphonium & Band

One of the earliest of Sparke's fantastic works for euphonium, the Fantasy features lyrical and technical passages including some triple tonguing. The work alternates an atmospheric recitative with a driving allegro section. It has quickly become a standard in the repertoire.

Genre: Solo Euphonium with Band | # of Players: Standard + 1
Level: 4 | Duration: 9:00

Instrumentation
Flute 1/Piccolo
Flute 2
Oboe 1/2
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon 1/2
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Bb Cornet 1
Bb Cornet 2
Bb Cornet 3
Bb Trumpet 1/2
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

String Bass

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, 2 temple blocks)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, bass drum, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel)

Program Notes
An atmospheric 'Lento' sets the scene for a folk-like theme from the soloist with an almost Scottish feel, which is freely played over a drone.

This leads to an 'Allegro giusto,' still based on the opening motif of a minor 3rd which unifies the whole piece. The material is neo-classical initially until a freewheeling and fragmentary second subject appears.

A slow middle section follows requiring warm expressive playing, before a recapitulation of the 'recit' and the 'Allegro giusto' bring this fine miniature to a close.