'The Great Race' is the third movement of Peter Graham's Euphonium Concerto titled 'In League With Extraordinary Gentlemen'.
The music follows Phileas Fogg on the last stage of his epic journey "Around the World in Eighty Days" (from the novel by Jules Verne). The moto perpetuo nature of the music gives full rein to the soloist's technical virtuosity. As the work draws to a conclusion, the frantic scramble by Fogg to meet his deadline at the Reform Club in Pall Mall, London, is echoed by the soloist's increasingly demanding ascending figuration, set against the background of Big Ben clock chimes
'In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen' was first performed in the brass band version by David Thornton and the Black Dyke Band, conductor Nicholas Childs, at the RNCM Concert Hall Manchester on January 30, 2009.
David Thornton performing Peter Meechan's 'Floating Dreams' for Euphonium and CD accompaniment. This piece was originally written for tenor horn (and dedicated to Peter's wife, Julie) but has since been adapted for both tuba and euphonium. This was the world premiere performance of the euphonium version.
'In Christ Alone' is an arrangement by Richard Phillips, bandmaster at the Kettering Citadel Band of the popular modern hymn by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. This is evidenced by the frequent use it enjoys during Sunday worship in many different denominational churches. The strength and solidity of the song is reflected in this triumphal arrangement, written at the request of Derick Kane and as a sequel to the earlier euphonium solo, 'There Will Be God'.
'Softly, As I Leave You' (Devita arr. Catherall) - David Thornton is joined by Steve Barham (principal euphonium of Leicester Co-op Band).
Czardas (Vittorio Monti arr. Wilson)
Lament from 'Stabat Mater' (Karl Jenkins arr. Wainwright/Childs)