London's Zone One Brass is to make a 600 mile round trip to be the first brass band to perform at the prestigious Lake District International Music Festival, where they will be joined by guest soloist Robert Childs for a performance of John Golland’s ‘Euphonium Concerto’.
Great news
"To be asked to play at such an event was great news alone, but to then get a call asking if we would accompany Bob with the concerto was as well was fantastic!" Richard Ward, ZOB's Musical Director told 4BR.
He added: "Bob’s reputation as a nice guy and one of the finest performers, conductors and teachers goes before him. The band and I will be delighted to welcome him to our rehearsal."
Looking forward
Bob Childs is also looking forward to picking up his euphonium once again: "I'm really looking forward to performing the Concerto with the band. I can't believe its been 30 years since I gave the premiere in Australia. Most of my brass band activity these days is either teaching or conducting so I'm finding performing again really refreshing."
It seems as though this piece was last played in the 1970s and a few times before. It will be fantastic to perform it down the road from where it was premiered almost 80 years agoRichard Ward
Holst work
The concert in Ulveston on August 11th will also feature John Ireland's 'Comedy Overture' and Philip Wilby's modern classic 'Paganini Variations' as well as an almost unknown piece by Imogen Holst, Gustav's Holst's daughter.
'The Unfortunate Traveller' by Imogen Holst has been painstakingly re-created in a new edition by Paul Hindmarsh.
Written in 1930 for the Carlise St. Stephen's Band, it was thought to be mostly lost but Paul found odd pages of scores and parts from a number of sources to bring the suite back to life.
Wonderful detective work
Richard said: "It seems as though this piece was last played in the 1970s and a few times before. It will be fantastic to perform it down the road from where it was premiered almost 80 years ago. Paul has done some wonderful detective work and has pieced together what was a musical jigsaw puzzle".