CD: Dream Times

Christopher Thomas reviews BBW's 'CD of the Month' from world renowned euphonium soloist, Steven Mead.

If there is a solo performer in the brass band world that can be relied upon not to repeat himself musically, it is Steven Mead. His never-ending quest to innovate and expand the repertoire of the euphonium is, once again, at the heart of this enterprising and beautifully packaged new solo release.

Yet also at the heart of the disc is the soloist’s long-standing association with the Royal Northern College of Music in what amounts to a celebration of a musical institution, which has formed a vital component of Steven Mead’s musical and professional life since his first teaching appointment at the College in 1990.

Featuring either music or performers associated with the College, the repertoire forms an eclectic, yet accessible and engaging selection of works featuring brass, string and electronic accompaniment that provides more than enough contrast to ensure that this disc can be happily enjoyed in one sitting.

Opening the recording, Frank Gulino’s Aces is a joyous, melodically freewheeling showpiece, in which the soloist is joined by an impressively secure brass quintet of college students. In marked contrast, the Three Tango Sensations of Astor Piazzolla, skilfully arranged by Matt Krening, take us into a sound world that has occasional darker undertones, whilst brilliantly exploiting the timbre of the soloist and accompanying strings.

Thomas Kelly’s Set Adrift makes highly imaginative use of electronics in a kaleidoscopic, endlessly fascinating exploration of sound and virtuosity - characteristics that can also be applied to Roderick Skipp’s iPhonium, in which both electronic effects and extended techniques are employed to fascinating effect in a piece that draws its inspiration from the sounds of the London Underground.

More traditionally, the jauntily attractive opening movement of Lee Jinjun’s Concerto for Euphonium and Brass sextet sets the tone for a 12-minute work, in which Steven Mead takes full advantage of the composer’s obvious melodic gifts; the initial florid lyricism of Hiroki Takahashi’s Dream Times and the haunting beauty of Piazzolla’s Ave Maria forming effective musical counterbalances.    

For sheer musical surrealism, however, there is no match for Rhapsodia, Milan Fashion Show 2007 - a suite of eight fleeting miniatures that rework themes from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Produced by Peter Meechan (under the pseudonym of Jay Knight) as music to accompany a fashion show in which Steven Mead featured as soloist, it makes for an entertaining, if offbeat conclusion to the disc.          

Steven Mead’s playing is an unalloyed pleasure throughout; technically astounding as we have come to expect, but perhaps more importantly exuding a musicality in which every note is produced and placed with loving care; the melodies and phrasing being given both space and an unerring sense of line and shape.

We have come to expect high standards indeed from Steven Mead’s ever-growing catalogue of solo recordings and this is another highly enjoyable offering that will not disappoint.

To purchase Dream Times, click here.

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