Sonatina for Euphonium and Synthesizer
John Boda

Publisher

Cimarron Music

Cost

$25.00

Difficulty

Moderately  Difficult

Duration

9:30

Tessitura

Low:  E    High:  b1

Medium

Euphonium and Synthesizer (Taped)/or Piano

Recordings

None Available

Year

1978

Notes

Comes with CD

Audio Sample  (courtesy of Cimarron Music)

    An interesting work born out of the prevalent trend of electronic music at the time it was composed. While not technically very difficult, it requires strong listening skills, as it is sometimes difficult to follow the taped synthesizer. The work is in one continuous movement, and the performer relies heavily on aural cues on when to come in. Getting a good tape of the synthesizer part is of the essence for a good performance.

    Boda also transcribed the synthesizer part for piano, and while it is my opinion that the synthesizer version is more noteworthy, both versions are available. I was lucky enough to get a copy of this from Dr. Boda himself, as he is a professor emeritus at the Florida State University, and I performed it at my Senior recital in March of 1997. By and large, the most difficult thing about this work is the timing of cues between soloist and tape (a concern that is eliminated by the piano version). Much rehearsal time with the tape is needed in order to pull off a satisfactory performance. It is a worthwhile read, and something that should be in the repertoire of any serious euphonium player.