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Larghetto for Euphonium with Tuba Ensemble or Piano (included) Craig Farr   Craig Farr works as a percussionist in the Norwegian Army Band, Bergen. He was born in Hertford, England, but moved with his family to Norway in 1990. Craig studies percussion and composition at the Grieg Academy, Department of Music. Free improvisation and experimentation with percussion led him to composition. Craig has written for large jazz groups and has had extensive performing experience from symphony orchestras, brass and wind bands as well as jazz groups and ensembles.Many years ago Craig gave me a hand-written score of Larghetto for Euphonium as a Christmas present. Not having had the chance to perform the piece over the years, I was particularly glad to be able to record it on my premiere solo CD Flight in 2002. In the original version the euphonium is accompanied by a tuba ensemble, but an additional version with piano accompaniment is also supplied here. Farr tells more about his music: "Larghetto for Euphonium was composed especially for my good friend and eminent colleague Tormod Robsahm Flaten. The piece contains several themes and variations which I feel suit Tormod’s personality and playing styles as well as being challenging to him as a performer. The themes are introduced with a somewhat hazy, disturbing accompaniment followed by a solo cadenza. They are then played in their proper form with a more relaxed and fluid background. Another solo cadenza becomes a bridge to the next section where a muted, mechanical loop forms an unlikely layer for the restated themes. Tormod’s Jewish roots are represented by the themes which themselves are twisted fragments of Jewish tunes. An abrupt and chaotic interruption brings us to the ending which sees the solo voice repeating its mantra until the basses, distant Tibetan horns, fall to rest. The solo is accompanied by one euphonium and two tubas, an accompaniment which I hope compliments the euphonium in a more sympathetic manner than that of the piano, as it helps create a more homogeneous sound.” -Tormod Flaten