Description

LOST TREASURES – Glenn Van Looy + Geert Callaert (piano)
For this CD we have choosen to unearth treasures of the early euphonium repertoire.  All this lost and neglected repertoire was composed for two predessors of the euphonium, the obsolete ophicleïde (patented by the French maker Halary) and the trombone with six independent valves (patented by Adolphe Sax).
Both instruments evolved over the course of generations through a process of natural selection.  Both instruments disappeared almost completely and were replaced by the modern day euphonium, slide trombone and tuba.  Not surprisingly together with the disappearance of both instruments alse the repertoire for these instruments (mostly published by obscure small publishers or kept in manuscript by the conservatoires or their teachers) disappeared.  For this project Glenn Van Looy brings back to live a selection of original music by Belgian and French composers which Luc Vertommen picked out of the dust (sometimes literally!).   This most interesting repertoire by virtually all forgotten composers proves that its time to rediscover these lost treasures.
It seems that the euphonium is the only natural heir for this type of music.  This non-idiomatically music written in romantic and virtuoso style is difficult and charming music designed both to entertain the Parisian public of that era or to be used by students at the Paris Conservatory in order to become ‘masters’ of their instruments.