Concerto Grosso for 2 Cornets, Horn, Euphonium and Brass Band, Philip Sparke

Written in 1988 and commissioned by Howard Snell and the CWS (Glasgow) Band. This work takes the form of a Baroque Concerto Grosso , with a small group of soloists (2 cornets, horn & euphonium - the "Concertanti" group) and the larger ensemble or in this case full band (the "Ripieno" group).
It is written in three continuous movements.

1. Opens with a lively Vivo in which the quartet and band share the musical ideas between them. A key change heralds a central section in which members of the quartet play in turn solo and duet passages until the opening material returns.

2. A Lento follows where, after a short introduction, the quartet plays a slow chorale alone. cadenzas from each of the soloists lead to a climax after which the chorale returns more full scored with band.

3. The third and final section is a sprightly gallop, and once again the themes are thrown back and forth between quartet (the Concertanti group) and band ( the Ripieno group). A more lyrical interlude highlights each soloist in turn before the opening material returns and the piece chases towards a breathless conclusion.