Thorntons Originals.....

 

The sell out audience at the opening concert with Black Dyke saw David premiere Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen’s 'Concerto for Euphonium and Brass Band'.

 

David told 4BarsRest.com: "The commission started at this festival two years ago, when I asked Torstein if he’d be interested in writing something and now it’s incredibly exciting to be at the business end of the process, with the premiere this weekend."

 

He added: "The piece is demanding for the soloist and band, and also I hope, extremely exciting for the audience. It involves some extended techniques, multiphonics and breath attacks alongside some very passionate writing for the instrument."

 

Meanwhile, on the Sunday, David performed three new pieces for euphonium and brass quintet, in a 'Solo Spotlight' sponsored by York Instruments. The recital was heralded as 'enterprising' by one reviewer.

 

"For sheer enterprise though David Thornton has to be congratulated for his Sunday recital that following on from his premiere of the new Aagaard-Nilsen Concerto with Black Dyke on Friday evening, included no less than three premieres by Cai Isfryn, Simon Dobson and Lucy Pankhurst and ably accompanied by Quintessential Brass, a laptop and an effects pedal."

 

"They proved to be three very different works that whilst challenging, displayed the diversity of talent amongst a prodigiously talented rising generation of young composers. We are lucky to have them and it was an ambitious project that deserved to be recognised."

 

Accompanied by Quintessential Brass, the three works were from the exciting young talents of Simon Dobson, Lucy Pankhurst and Cai Isfryn.

 

Simon Dobson has written 'In Memoriam E.S.' inspired by the music of Esbjorn Svensson, a Swedish Jazz musician and founder of E.S.T. who died in a scuba diving accident in 2008.

 

David explained more about the piece: "The euphonium soloist and quintet perform over the top of a 'drum and bass' dance track - a combination which takes the innovative mind of someone like Simon Dobson to mould into a really beautiful piece of music. It really takes the listener by surprise on the first hearing!"

 

David is equally excited about a new work from 4BR 'Newcomer of the Year', Lucy Pankhurst too: "Lucy has written a very descriptive piece, telling the story of Tiamat. The title hails the name of a five headed dragon, from the fantasy role-playing adventure game 'Dungeons & Dragons'. 

 

"The brass quintet represents the five heads and the soloist is the heroic dragon slayer! It’s a real musical battle with me cutting each head off one by one!"

 

Cai Isfryn provided the finale to the recital with 'Blizzard'. Cai is a former cornet player with Black Dyke and will also be performing with the Groves Brass Quintet. 

 

Cai told 4BR: "It’s a great experience writing for my own group and for a soloist like David. I’ve tried to test us all technically and musically with a tour de force for euphonium and quintet telling the story of a great Blizzard, high winds and treacherous conditions."