An Exciting Debut
Tom Szott | Lawrence, KS | 01/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For the few among you who are avid collectors of classical euphonium recordings, this is one you should definitely add to your collection. For the rest of us, it's a great way to get started. Pat Stuckemeyer's debut CD, "Just For Fun," has a little of everything; most importantly, exciting new music and very fine playing. This is a very intimate recording, obviously the product of intense collaboration between Stuckemeyer and pianist Ellen Bottorff, which displays Stuckemeyer's velvet-smooth sound and Bottorff's talent as a collaborative artist.
The first three tracks represent the first recording of well-known composer Eric Ewazen's new euphonium concerto; Stuckemeyer and Bottorff deliver a clean, crisp performance of what promises to be an enduring work. Next is "Allerseelen," by Richard Strauss, arranged for euphonium and piano by Stuckemeyer and Bottorff. Stuckemeyer also arranged the next piece, Domenico Cimarosa's "Concerto for Oboe," which is one of the real highlights of the CD. Both Stuckemeyer and Bottorff deliver stylistically superb performances, and Stuckemeyer's playing exhibits both excellent command of the upper register and a keen sense of musicianship. "Romance," by Noah Taylor, was written for Stuckemeyer by the composer, and is a fine, if short, piece. "Five Pieces in Folk Style," by Robert Schumann, display the talents of both soloist and collaborative artist in a variety of different styles. The final work on the CD, "Duo Concertante," by well-known band composer James Barnes, highlights Stuckemeyer's excellent technique. For this last piece, Stuckemeyer and Bottorff are joined by Justin White on trumpet. White delivers an excellent technical performance, made all the more enjoyable by his warm, beautiful sound. This piece features difficult unison technical passages, which the two soloists perform extremely well.
"Just for Fun" represents a collection of new works and arrangements, never previously recorded in this format. Pat Stuckemeyer delivers an excellent performance, negotiating musical difficulties with an ease that makes him very easy to listen to, especially with Ellen Bottorff as the collaborative pianist.
As its title suggests, "Just For Fun" won't hit you over the head; it won't stun you with huge dynamics or jaw-dropping technique. Instead, Pat Stuckemeyer, Ellen Bottorff, and Justin White offer a comfortable, musically satisfying product you'll want to listen to over and over. It's an enjoyable exploration of some fun new music, delivered by a young soloist who promises great things to come."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1