Performance portfolio David Richard Peter Childs DMA 2020

I have chosen to be assessed as an instrumentalist and interpreter of music. The criteria laid down by the University of Salford Senate Research and Graduate Studies Committee has influenced the selection of repertoire performed on both my studio recording projects (one and four), my live major première performance (project two), and my live performance of historical interest (project three). My introductory chapter sets out to explore the progression of the euphonium from 1920 – 2020. I will briefly discuss the origins and development of euphonium solo repertoire with reference to performers, composers and the instrument’s social environment. It is hoped that this will provide a meaningful context for my work in the development and dissemination of solo repertoire for the euphonium, and its performance on the international stage. Through commercial recordings and live performances, the study represents an exploration of both new and traditional repertoire in a variety of settings. Project One, Symphonic Euphonium II sees the euphonium paired with the symphony orchestra and sets out to offer new insights into the musical possibilities of this unique combination. The project not only explores newly commissioned major works and the collaborative process between performer and composer, but through the comparison of original manuscripts and published material, it also presents a new edition of an existing work by one of the Britain’s most respected composers. All four concerti featured receive their première recordings as part of this project. Project Two represents the world première live performance of Paul Mealor’s Concerto for Euphonium with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Last Night of the Welsh Proms, whilst Project Three celebrates the 50th Anniversary of what could be considered the euphonium’s first major contemporary solo work by a well-established composer, through a live lecture-recital performance of Gordon Jacob’s Fantasia at the University of North Texas. Once again, looking to the past as well as the future, Project Four, Virtuoso, features the euphonium in its traditional British solo environment. Showcasing new and existing settings of brass band solo works, the project aims to fulfil perceptive and imaginative musical interpretations, through a historically important revival, whilst offering significant new insights into the performance of existing repertoire, documenting the artistic stature and excellence of several highly respected euphonium players of the past and present. This body of work makes a significant contribution to the euphonium repertory and through collaboration with major record labels and music publishers, the commercial discs, and the music featured on them, will be accessible to a new generation of euphonium players worldwide