Euphonium Premiere for RNCM Festival 

An innovative autobiographical commission for euphonium star Glenn Van Looy will be premiered at the 2018 RNCM Brass Band Festival.  The concerto, entitled BECH, is being written by Swiss composer Ludovic Neurohr and forms a travelogue that charts the development of Glenn's musical as well as personal life - from his formative years in Belgium to the current time living, working and playing in Switzerland. The work will be performed by Glenn and the Tredegar Band, as part of the band's concert performance at the RNCM Brass Band Festival in January 2018. 
 
Speaking about the piece, the composer explained: "The title comes from the German notation as a leitmotiv; the BE for Belgium and the CH for Switzerland links the geographical travelogue as well as the musical time-line of Glenn's life." Ludovic added: "It's a work that reflects on his life as well as how the modern application of technology can play a part in its telling now and in the future." 
 
The performance will begin with Glenn in a totally different auditorium to the band, depicting the hours of lonely personal work that he had to undertake early in his musical career. Glenn will then move to another auditorium to perform with a brass quartet before eventually joining Tredegar in the main theatre as his life and musical journey reaches its current apex, drawing links through the music to his move to Switzerland, his marriage and his new professional life. 
 
The piece offers a tantalising glimpse into a future where technology will increasingly be used to bring players from different parts of the world to perform together. "It's a concept I have thought a deal about in recent years," Ludovic stated. "Glenn is such an innovative performer that we felt this was a unique way to explore his musical as well as personal journey. Tredegar is also the perfect band to perform it with him, as they have such a fine reputation of seeking out contemporary challenges and breaking new boundaries. I hope it will be a project that opens new performance horizons." 
 
Commenting on the forthcoming premiere performance Tredegar MD, Ian Porthouse said: "We have always sought adventurous musical challenges as a band, so this is certainly a work that appeals to us. Ludovic is a composer with real imagination and Glenn is a performer who fears nothing; I'm sure it's going to be a work not to be missed." 
 
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