Sikorski
‘The composition was written in November 2003 as a commission for the Park Lane Group. It is a cycle of four short pieces. In the first piece (Moderato) I have a mode of five notes: c-d-e-f-a for the euphonium and a mode of seven other notes for the piano: c#-d#-f#-g-g#-a#-h. In the third and fourth pieces (Andante cantabile and Moderato), the euphonium and piano swap keys. Furthermore, in the last movement, the euphonium takes over the texture of the piano part from the first piece. The second movement (Vivo) is a very fast and virtuoso piece in which both instruments play all 12 notes of the chromatic scale.
chromatic scale.
The title EUPHONISMS means a ‘harmonic speech’ and not only reflects a concordant dialogue between the instruments, but also alludes to the name of the euphonium itself.’ (Elena Firsova)