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2nd Performance of the Hallows

The concerto is by the German composer Rolf Rudin . This wonderful work, around 30 minutes in duration has already been rated  by those heard the world premiere with Steve and the  Stuttgart Philharmonic in 2007 as perhaps the greatest ever work for euphonium and orchestra. To say it is demanding is an understatement, as its complex solo part is quite extraordinary in its demands, but it is also enjoyable by the audience at first hearing. The hushed finale at the Stuttgart premiere had the capacity audience holding its breath and some of the incredible technique and range moments in the central movement had them shaking their heads in disbelief. 

“The concerto is in 3 movements and the title hints at an interesting story which unfolds during the mammoth work. In Irish mythology it’s said that a group of ancient magical people known as the Thuata de Danaan came to Ireland – they were the original Irish fairies! – and they brought with them four sacred treasures.  These treasures were called The Hallows of Ireland.  The piece has a very mythical and epic atmosphere and either side of the long and very fast technical middle movement , the euphonium behaves something like the narrator or an old druid who is telling the people something from this ancient and unknown time.”

The composer Rolf Rudin wrote of the premiere performance in Stuttgart in 2007:

"For a composer it is always an amazing impression to experience that wonderful musicians invest all their talent and engagement and their technical abilities and all their emotianal richness in a performance and especially in a world premiere. This first performance of my composition has had everything of what a composer can wish. To perform a new work of half an hour duration in not quite many rehearsals is admirable and I thank for that very much. My expectations how the composition will sound and how the music will impress the audience were fullfilled.

Steve's art to play the Euphonium convinced everybody in the hall - the orchestra and the audience - that the Euphonium is really a wonderful instrument especially in the hands of such a virtuoso and great musician. I admire Steve's playing and thank him very much for his wonderful interpretation of my music. I hope that he will get many opportunities to play my piece and that this concerto will be part of the repertoire in the future."  Rolf Rudin

On Sunday 15th March the next performance will be given (there are several other performances now being planned with details to be announced soon) with the  Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt (Symphony Orchestra) in the Capitol Theater Offenbach am Main. The conductor will be Roland Böer