Saitama Premier Brass (SPB) from Japan recently gave their annual concert at the magnificent Sun City Concert Hall in Saitama in northern Tokyo under the baton of inspirational Musical Director Makoto Sekiya.

Uphill

Joining them for the occasion was Belgian euphonium star Glenn Van Looy who gave the Japanese premiere of the Euphonium Concerto, ‘Uphill’, written for him by his great friend Stan Nieuwenhuis (pictured together), which received its world premiere at the RNCM Festival of Brass earlier this year.

Space Rhapsody

The band also gave the world premiere of a new work entitled, ‘Space Rhapsody’, by one of the movement’s rising compositional stars, Jonathan Bates.

Makoto told 4BR: "Glenn was a great soloist and Jonathan’s new work was very well received by the packed audience. Both ‘Uphill’ and ‘Space Rhapsody’ are fantastic pieces, and a joy to perform. We give a big thank you to our new friends and wonderful composers."

Glenn was a great soloist and Jonathan’s new work was very well received by the packed audienceMD, Makoto Sekiya

Fantastic

Glenn added: “It was a great experience to perform at such a fantastic venue with the excellent Saitama Premier Brass. To perform the Concerto once more was something to remember, and to be part of the band in the premiere of Jonathan’s new work was also very special."