Night
Song for Euphonium and Taped Synthesizer (1989) by Neil Corwell
(Notes by the composer)
As a brass musician with a fascination for both synthesizers and composition,
it was only natural that one day I would decide to combine these three musical
loves. Night Song, a piece for solo euphonium accompanied by a pre-recorded
synthesizer tape, was my first effort in this genre. Unlike many pieces for
solo instrument with synthesizer, the music is tonal, and the synthesizer
is NOT used merely as a source of bizarre sound effects. Instead, analog
and digital synthesis techniques are utilized as a means of expanding the
timbral palette available to the composer in support of the featured instrument.
Night Song was premiered in 1989.
Neal Corwell (b. 1959) holds music degrees from Frostburg State (B.S.), George
Mason University (M.A.) and the D.M.A. from the University of Maryland. From
1981 until 1989, Neal served as a featured euphonium soloist with the Pershing's
Own, The US Army Band in Washington, D.C. He is currently an adjunct faculty
member at Shepherd College and is a euphoniumist in the acclaimed professional
low brass ensemble, Symphonia. He is a published composer and arranger with
his specialty being music for brass solo instruments with synthesizer accompaniment.