Philip Sparke
Diamond Concerto (Euphonium Concerto No. 3)
Three gem-named movements move from stern fantasy through a melting song to a bebop jazz waltz written for Steven Mead.
| Composer | Philip Sparke |
|---|---|
| Composed | 2012 |
| Era | 21st century |
| Type | Original |
| Difficulty | virtuoso |
| Available scorings | Piano, Wind Band, Brass Band |
| Duration | ~15 minutes |
| Clef | bass, treble |
| Originally for | Euphonium |
| Technical demands | free cadenza, lyrical high register, jazz waltz, concerto endurance |
| Good for | professional program, competition, featured soloist with band |
| Publisher | Anglo Music |
The movements—Earth Star, Ocean Dream, and Blue Heart—need sharply different surfaces while sharing one solo identity. The opening fantasy should feel searching, the central song unforced, and the finale rhythmically loose but exact.
Sparke writes directly for the euphonium’s strengths, including Steven Mead’s particular range of colors. The performer should use that freedom to create contrast, not to push every section toward the same brilliant sound.