Serenata

While composing Serenata, Jan Van der Roost didn't focus too much on virtuosity, acrobatics or spectacle. Instead, he wanted to let the solo instrument shine as a melodic and expressive voice. And indeed: the warm sound of the euphonium touches the heart of the audience straight away in the first section with a melodious theme. Then follows a rigaudon, a noble and elegant dance from the Renaissance era. Despite the fact that some of the variations on the main theme require some technique and agility, the overall character mostly remains songful. The composition as a whole builds further on these two musical ingredients, but thanks to a clever alternation of melodic and technical passages, it offers a nice stylistic diversity to the listeners. The band is definitely not 'just accompanying' but fully participates and begins a dialogue with the soloist: both musical partners have their say. The end is more spectacular and sonorous, giving an extra boost of energy to the soloist as well as the band in a grand finale!