Sparke, Philip - Diamond Concerto

Each of the three movements of this challenging concerto written by Philip Sparke for the euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead, is named after a famous diamond:

Earth Star is rather stern in mood, opening with a free fantasyfor the soloist over a static chord from the piano.

Ocean Dream uses a varied quote from the composer’s Music for Battle Creek,including a melting slow melody that was originally written withSteven Mead in mind.

Blue Heart was written, at Steven Mead’s suggestion, in bebop style and takes the form of a jazz waltz.