Trombone virtuoso Lito Fontana has been busy across Europe of late taking in performances in Spain, Italy and Austria.

After hosting a very successful Masterclass and concert at the end of last year in the lovely town of Val d'Uxio near Valencia, this week he returned to Spain where he performed in Tarragona with the critically acclaimed Quartet Gaudi alongside his friend Carlos Gil.

Famous technique and sound

Last Sunday they performed music specially arranged by Austrian composer Werner Pirchner of 'Der Strich des Radierers', which he wrote in homage of Lito's famous technique and sound.

This week he is in Italy where he will give a special Valentine's Day Masterclass in Arezzo, before heading to Rome to perform as a clinician and soloist with the Italian Brass Band at the Latina Conservatoire.

After enjoying the delights of meeting his family in the Eternal City it's back to Austria for the Schagerl Brass Workshop on the weekend of the 5th/6th March to prepare his students for the prestigious 'Prima la Musica' competition, where he will also adjudicate and perform at the annual concert.

I'm delighted to be busy. And it is always good to meet old and new friends, as well as my family in RomeLito Fontana

New and old friends

"I'm delighted to be busy,"he told 4BR. "And it is always good to meet old and new friends, as well as my family in Rome.

April will be more relaxed and with my wife Mona we will have some days together at home in San Benedetto before I look forward to going to Ostend as a very proud President of the Italian Brass Band Association."