One of the intriguing musical talking points of the recent European Championships in Oostende has finally been resolved, with the revealing of the identity of the composer of Cory's own-choice work, 'Destination Moon'.

Inspired by the space-race exploits of Belgian cartoon character Tintin, it was originally stated that it had been written by a composer called Paul Raphael.

Pseudonym

However, much like Tintin's creator Georges Remi as Herge, it was believed by some, although not confirmed at the time by the defending champion, that it had in fact been written under a pseudonym.

Now the secret has been resolved, with MD Philip Harper confirming that he was the composer.

He told 4BR: "We were working towards a new piece by a (real) A-list composer, but it became clear at the end of 2016 that this wasn't going to happen in time. I asked a couple of other composers, but they couldn't fit it in with just a few weeks' notice.

Not wishing to play an already existing piece, I decided to compose something myself.

The main reason I chose to compose under a pseudonym was past precedent. We also played one of my compositions at the Euros back in 2014 ('The Divine Right'). I was surprised — maybe naively so — to discover that there was some ill-feeling out there about this and I was labelled an egotist in some quarters on social media."

Sole objective

He continued: "There is only one objective every time Cory attends the Euros, and that is for the band to win. My feeling was that if there was any possibility at all of a negative preconception of our performance due to my name appearing as the composer, this would adversely affect the sole objective.

So, I decided that creating a pseudonym would be the best way to ensure a level-playing field. The name Paul Raphael does have some significance but it is not an anagram or partial anagram like many people have suggested!

I brought the band into confidence once I had delivered the piece onto the stands at the end of February, and we also enjoyed the fun aspect of this deception (creating Paul a web presence for example).

However, it became clear following the contest that many people had guessed Paul Raphael's true identity, which I can confirm today. I apologise to those to whom I had to bend the truth a little in the process!"

However, it became clear following the contest that many people had guessed Paul Raphael's true identity, which I can confirm today. I apologise to those to whom I had to bend the truth a little in the process!Philip Harper

Posterity

Phil revealed that although his identity has been revealed, the work now be recorded and published under the compositional non-de-plume.

He added: "We will record 'Destination Moon' in a couple of weeks time, and then it will be released for publication by De Haske soon after.

There has already been much interest in the piece, but it will continue to appear with Paul Raphael's name on it, for posterity's sake."