Euphonium Concerto

I'm composing this concerto for a friend of mine, and I'm having some major issues not knowing where to take it with the second subject. It's holding me up with the first and third movements, because them continuing depends on me coming up with that next bit.

I just need some advice on how I should approach this. I know I want it to be much more uplifting than rest of what I have, but I'm completely at a loss. I've been unable to come up with a good melody for it, and I've been stuck in the same spot since last May. It's pretty irritating. If anyone knows of some good Russian folk music that might fit it, don't hesitate to let me know. And I appologize ahead of time for the orchestra gradually dropping off when the file ends. I haven't brought the rest of the instruments up to where the solo ends.

Anyways, happy listening, and thanks a bunch if you have any ideas!

econcerto1.nwc

econcerto1.mid

Sorry...I just realized that I was an idiot and put this in the wrong category.

Since I play euphonium (even if pretty badly), I figured I should take a look at this, and I'm listening right now... should be sleeping, but I will post some comments over the weekend when I can take a look at the score.

I know this probably doesn't help you go anywhere, but I already have some concerns about the density of orchestration over the soloist, especially since the euphonium has a "rounder" sound than the trombone and isn't quite as penetrating.

It does give me something to consider for the future, which is great. So thanks!

I did feel that the orchestration was rather thick.... but I don't think it'd be way too hard to get a euphonium to cut through it all, everything else is woodwinds and strings, there's not so much brass in the orchestra to distract from the solo euphonium. Don't forget the power euphoniums have over non brass instruments, it may have a round sound, not as penetrating as a trombone, but when you have one standing in front of the orchestra playing it's heart out, it can be heard. And there are many places where the euphonium hides in the texture, contributing more to the orchestra than playing a solo in places.

Never thought of using F horn to represent euphonium in MIDI, it works. ;)

Anyways, I really enjoyed this piece so far, it sounds rather professional, it just needs to lighten up a bit. It's so dark and heavy, it gets tiring after a while, you might have to switch things up even a little more.

I agree, I found it kind of hard to decipher the "concerto" part of the piece.

I agree, I found it kind of hard to decipher the "concerto" part of the piece.

Really? Why is that?