Martin Smith &
Anna Le Hair

Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837)

Fantasy (Hummel, arr. Wilby Chiles)

Originally written for the viola and orchestra and called Potpourri op. 94 this arrangement features popular melodies from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Nozze di Figaro and Rossini’s Tancredi. In fact, about 60% of the music is borrowed from hit tunes of the day. These tunes are framed by an opening “Grave” section and a very virtuosic Rondo closing section written by Hummel.

Antonio Capuzzi (1755-1818)

Concerto (Capuzzi, arr. David Childs & Martin Smith)

i Allegro moderato (D major); ii Andante cantabile (A major); iii Rondo. Allegro (D major)

What a privilege it was to assist in the arrangement of the first movement of the double bass concerto. The second and third movements have been played for some years on the euphonium but at last the complete concerto can be performed. The first movement has a military feel to it and the cadenza was written based on other Capuzzi music I discovered in the British Library and references the lively third movement. The lovely slow 2nd movement provides a reflective contrast that shows this arrangement of the double bass concerto works so well on the euphonium.

Performers

Martin Smith - Euphonium

Martin was taught to play by his father and they both played in the local Salvation Army Band. At the age of eighteen Martin gave up playing to pursue sporting interests, his career and later on, his family. After a thirty-five year absence from playing, he returned to playing and as part of his comeback he passed his ATCL and LTCL, both with distinction in one year and passed his Fellowship at Trinity College London (FTCL). He also studied under Dr Robert Childs for a Masters Degree In Music Performance at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Having given up playing for so long he is very encouraged by the new music written for the solo euphonium for recitals and concertos with orchestras. He has an ever-growing number of public recitals and solo performances in the UK from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London through to the Town Hall in Lerwick to St Davids Hall, Cardiff and abroad. He takes great delight in hearing of audience members being encouraged by his example and returning to music!

Anna Le Hair - Piano

Anna Le Hair gained an honours degree in music at Edinburgh University, and her postgraduate studies were at the Royal College of Music, London. Anna has a busy and varied career as a performer, teacher, accompanist, ABRSM examiner, adjudicator and conductor. Engagements have included recitals, both solo and as chamber musician and accompanist, as well as soloist in several piano concertos, in many venues in London and around Britain and abroad. Anna currently teaches piano and accompanies at St Albans School, and she also has a thriving private teaching practice at her home in Tring. She is the founder of and runs the successful ‘Piano and more’ concert series at St Peter and St Paul church in Tring and is a founder member of the Icknield Ensemble. She completed her first international examining tour for ABRSM in summer 2019 to Malaysia.