Over the Stone (Tros y Garreg)
Over the Stone is a traditional Welsh tune: Tros y Garreg. It is not known when it was written, but the sentiment of the tune is attributed to Rhys Bodychen, who led a troop of Welsh forces at the Battle of Bosworth Field where Richard III was defeated by Henry Tudor in 1485.
The lyrical simplicity of its melodic line lends itself well to the euphonium, a Greek word meaning sweet sounding. With this publication, expert arranger Tony Small gives the performer an opportunity to take an ‘optional cut' reducing the arrangement's duration but still featuring the entire tune in its simplest form. However, the ‘extended version' (without cut) explores the instrument's upper register through soaring obligato lines complete with a short Cadenza to close. This ‘extended version' can be heard performed by David Childs and the Cory Band under the direction of Robert Childs on the World of Brass Doyen CD Celtic Charm (DOYCD214).