Sonata for Euphonium

Sonata for Euphonium Saint-Saëns didn’t write this piece for euphonium, of course – the title is the arrangers. He did, though, toward the end of his life, write sonatas for three ‘neglected’ instruments: oboe, clarinet, and in 1921, bassoon. Its from this, his final work, that the present transcription has been made. Aimed to fill a gap in the euphonium repertory of material of some substance suitable for advanced recital use by advanced players who can boast great technique and a full command of the instrument’s range. Following the classical three movement model an opening movement alternates between major and minor key areas. A perky scherzo follows; also trading major and minor key sections in a virtuosic jaunt. (This movement works well as a stand-alone piece, too.) The interesting final movement begins with an extended adagio before a fast, showy final section requiring great panache!