*
banner

Critical acclaim for Childs concerto premiere

David Childs' premiere of Paul Mealor's new euphonium concerto has been met with widespread critical acclaim.

David Childs
  The performance of Paul Mealor's new concerto was met with widespread acclaim.

There has been widespread critical acclaim for David Childs following his world premiere performance of Paul Mealor's new 'Euphonium Concerto' at the 'Welsh Proms' in Cardiff on 29th July.

Undoubted highlight

Writing in the Western Mail newspaper, critic Peter Collins gave the evening a four star review, calling it, '...the undoubted highlight' of all the 'delightful musical offerings'.

He went on to say that; '...it was played with great subtlety and skill' with the work having 'a mysterious, haunting quality... but also a lively sparkling edge that seemed to capture the essence of the Celtic soul'.

Collins added: 'The evocative opening and closing sections had a lilting beauty which enchanted the capacity audience', before summing the composition up by saying; 'This is a genuinely impressive new work which deserves to be heard in concert halls around this land and beyond'.

Delighted

David was understandably delighted with the response when he spoke to 4BR — especially as it also gained a standing ovation from the audience at St David's Hall in Cardiff.

Local media reports all contained praise for the euphonium star and for the music, whilst one member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra told 4BR that they were 'astounded' by his 'world class' performance.

Honour

David said: "It's always a great honour to perform at the Last Night of the Welsh Proms — especially conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes and having the opportunity to perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Paul's writing is so evocative and engaging that you could feel the audience being pulled into the music from the very opening. He is a wonderful composer who we are lucky to have been able to attract to write for the brass band medium.

I hope to be able to record the work in the future and give many more performances."

Paul's writing is so evocative and engaging that you could feel the audience being pulled into the music from the very openingDavid Childs.

Deep love

The work is inspired by a Gaelic poem about lost love, as Paul told 4BR before the event. "It tells the tale of a fisherman and his wife. She accompanies her love to the shores of the sea to wave him off; but, to her tragedy, he never returns.

Each day she returns to the sea and sings to him, but no answer ever comes. In the tradition of Celtic songs it is dark and full of passion and pain.

The song's lyrics show us the two sides of deep love — and there is no better performing in the world than David to show that."

Image — courtesy of David Childs

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd