Bastien Baumet
Orchestre d’harmonie de la ville du Havre (Conductor: Vicente Luna)
Make it slide Ensemble 
Orchestre Voltige (Conductor: Thierry Deleruyelle)
Musique des gardiens de la prefecture de police de Paris (Conductor: Laurent Douvre)
Kuroneko Phonogram Manufacture

The rapid development of major euphonium concerto repertoire in recent years has come with mixed results.

The best retain the essential balance of musicality and technique through informed, inventive insight. Others lose it through frenetic excess. Too often, even in the most skilled hands the instrument becomes characterless through needless virtuosity.  

Resolute

Bastien Baumet remains resolute in retaining its true identity, the decision to perform with wind orchestra and ensembles allowing the solo focal point to remain clearly defined on a colourful, if at times unevenly painted accompaniment canvas.

This, his fourth CD release presents commissioned concertos by Ricardo Molla and Thierry Deleruyelle, a substantive concert work by composer/conductor Gabriel Philippot, and a lollipop encore. 

He writes with a filmatic verve; the broad lines and melodic ease coming with nods of appreciation to John Williams and the likes of Michael Jarrel and Jerry Bock

Molla’s works have been performed by Joseph Alessi, Ian Bousfield, Carol Jansch, Pacho Flores and Estaban Batallan.  He writes with a filmatic verve; the broad lines and melodic ease coming with nods of appreciation to John Williams and the likes of Michael Jarrel and Jerry Bock with his scores of narrative neo-romanticism, jazzy inflections and catchy rhythmic underpinnings.

Sacrifice

‘The Unknown Soldier’  finds its focus through the American sacrifice made on the D-Day beaches of Normandy. The touchstone reference points are obvious but respectful.

Baumet carries the voice of the anonymous combatant; brave and optimistic to open, before a second movement reflecting on the darker anxieties on fate makes way for a finale of bravura triumph.

Baumet carries the voice of the anonymous combatant; brave and optimistic to open, before a second movement reflecting on the darker anxieties on fate makes way for a finale of bravura triumph.

Musically satisfying

Gabriel Philippot’s ‘Invocation, Demonique’  is arguably the more musically satisfying.  

Smaller in scale but broader in inventive scope, the composer also freely nods to influential ‘greats’ – the Mahleresque opening dark and atmospheric.

Baument paints an absorbing portrait of expressionism, almost operatic in intensity and character. It is splendidly passionate.  

The octet of accompanying trombones offers a flexible backdrop on which Baument paints an absorbing portrait of expressionism, almost operatic in intensity and character. It is splendidly passionate.

Skittish

Thierry Deleruyelle’s ‘Dragonfly’  has quickly become a popular addition to the repertoire – the composer’s familiar style (with its own nods of appreciation) offering ample scope for Baumet to showcase his extensive skill set in a triptych structure. Like a dragonfly, its skittish and ephemeral in its colourful virtuosity.

Given the title (inspired by his three young daughters) the inclusion of ‘Riverdance’  seems appropriate enough, although perhaps it’s a frantic pre-bedtime dance treat to extinguish any remnants of sugar infused energy that may still be keeping them awake.

Iwan Fox 

To purchase:
CD: https://bastienbaumet.fr/

Play list:

1. The Unknown Soldier (Ricardo Molla)
2. Invocation Demonique (Gabriel Philippot)
3. Dragonfly (Thierry Deleruyelle)
4. Riverdance (Bill Whelan)