Brass

This work is a tribute to the prominent contemporary composer Barbara York. The work was commissioned by Cimarron Music Press and the instructions were it has to be fun, quirky, and also contain beautiful melodies.

The piece begins with a prelude which pays homage to the various styles in Barbara’s compositions. After the prelude, the music contains quotes from Barbara’s various works and includes “How Beautiful”, “Quirky” from “Personalities”, “Through the Tunnel”, “Arioso Gloria” and ends with “Every Day an Alleluia”.

I humbly hope that when the music is played it evokes the emotional character of Barbara’s music and allows us to celebrate her life and contributions to the low brass community.

Wan-Yun Liang (2020)

Commissioned by Wen-Chung Li

This Tuba solo piece was composed with mysterious chords presents a special atmosphere. Rapidly shifting emotional tensions between rhythmic and lyrical passages test the soloist's playing skills. Mixed and irregular meters keep the music moving forward and increase the fun of performing as well as the listening experience for the audience.

Wan-Yun Liang (2022) Learn More

“Hakka “ are one of the main ethnic groups in Taiwan. This piece incorporates several Hakka folk songs and shows a leisurely pastoral style. It's an ingenuity piece and suitable for a recital program.

with Piano (band version available soon)

Ms. Wan-Yun Liang is a young Taiwanese woman composer, whose works mostly focus on winds chamber music as well as ensemble works. The Euphonium Concerto, Ms. Liang’s latest composition, was commissioned by Shih-Yao Huang, a Taiwanese Baritone player, and the winds ensemble of National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. This Concerto contains three movements. The first movement is in a sonata form with two contrasting style melodies. The second movement is titled “Rondo” and the main theme is played by the Alto Saxophone player. In the middle section of this movement, the music turns into a charming waltz and which leads goes back to the beginning section. The third movement is a fast dancing movement with a slow introduction. As a brass player herself, Ms. Liang is willing to give the solo part many fast tonguing passages as well lyrical melodies to demonstrate the specific characteristics of this instrument. This work was premiered in July 7^th, 2018, by Shih-Yao Huang and the winds ensemble of National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, under the direction of Chwan-Yaw Foo.             

Espérer (Hope) was composed of three Euphoniums and two Tubas and is an ABA form. Section A consists of two themes: The first theme is played smoothly with a constant rhythm to express the spirit of the title “Hope” and the second theme is sung with a more relaxed melody line. The B section, which is more lyrical, allows the Euphonium parts to soar over the ensemble as they lead to the the return to the A section and the piece’s climactic conclusion.

with Piano

Imagine you are a blossom flying around in the spring genial breeze. While you falling to the ground, you probably feel some melancholy and distress. But the moment you memorialize the good old days, you seem to fly again. There is nothing that can make you fear.

with Piano

Imagine you are a blossom flying around in the spring genial breeze. While you falling to the ground, you probably feel some melancholy and distress. But the moment you memorialize the good old days, you seem to fly again. There is nothing that can make you fear.

with Piano

This suite contains four movements that describe the special characteristics of a year’s four seasons. After reading poetry about nature and the changing seasons, the composer brought the poems to life through her music.

I. Autumn: The long and lyrical melody played by the soloist is accompanied by a repeated pattern from the piano. This symbolizes the dropping and rustling of the leaves from the wind in autumn. 

II. Winter: The intense and fast passages, played by both the soloist and pianist, depict a fierce wind sweeping in the cold winter.

III. Spring: A warm, relaxing melody on top of a pastoral rhythmic pattern proclaims a new season is arriving. In the middle section of this movement, both players imitate singing birds. Although the melody is soft and warm, we can hear contrasting emotional changes that reflect the unstable weather in spring time. 

IV. Summer: Passion, energy, and activity are all prevalent in summer. The composer uses a tango style to portray these concepts. The second main melody gives the image of a fireworks show in the summer night.  

For four Euphoniums, the music begins with an Andante con misterioso. The first theme is played by the second Euphonium, and the third Euphonium plays the accompaniment with a wave-like undulating figure. The second section is marked Allegro in 12/8, and the fast-sounding groups alternate with each other with more wave-like undulations. The third part is marked Adagio and allows the Euphoniums to express themselves with a lyrical melody which gradually adds counterpoint and rhythmic figures. This enrichment of the the music texture then leads the performers back to the second theme (Allegro) and the exciting conclusion to "In Suspension"!

I. Solely Flight II. An Eternity in an Hour III. The Unknown Journey Will Continue Learn More

Nocturne is composed in the romantic music style. There are several different dramatic evolutions from the main theme that give the audience variety. This also gives the player the opportunity to expressively perform both the lyrical melody as well as the technical phrases. Learn More

with Wind Band; This piece features varied styles and is a nice challenge for an upper level High School player or College student.

Program notes:

“Once in a Blue Moon” is a concerto for euphonium and wind ensemble written by a young Taiwanese composer, Wan-Yun Liang. According to the composer, this romantic piece is telling a story about “two lovers who coincidentally met, fell in love and watched the moon under the moonlight.” This piece consists of four sections without break. The music begins with a lovely main theme played by the soloist. This first section, marked Adagio, is in the style of the blues. It is followed by a fast section and a tango style third section. After a brief cadenza, the main theme comes back in a dance tempo. In this final section, the clarinet section will play the counter melody when the soloist presents the main melody. After that, trumpets and saxophones players will play the main tune while the counter melody will be played by the soloist. This represents the two lovers dancing happily under the moon.

This piece was premiered by the Euphonium player, Tzu-Hsiang Lin, and Taipei Symphonic Band in January 14th 2018, under the direction of  Dr. Po-Yuan Ku. 

This music has been selected as 2018 Taiwan Tuba Euphonium Competition Set Piece.

with Piano; This piece features varied styles and is a nice challenge for an upper level High School player or College student.

Note:  The sound and video are from the Band accompaniment version which will be available soon.

Program notes:

“Once in a Blue Moon” is a concerto for euphonium and wind ensemble written by a young Taiwanese composer, Wan-Yun Liang. According to the composer, this romantic piece is telling a story about “two lovers who coincidentally met, fell in love and watched the moon under the moonlight.” This piece consists of four sections without break. The music begins with a lovely main theme played by the soloist. This first section, marked Adagio, is in the style of the blues. It is followed by a fast section and a tango style third section. After a brief cadenza, the main theme comes back in a dance tempo. In this final section, the clarinet section will play the counter melody when the soloist presents the main melody. After that, trumpets and saxophones players will play the main tune while the counter melody will be played by the soloist. This represents the two lovers dancing happily under the moon.

This piece was premiered by the Euphonium player, Tzu-Hsiang Lin, and Taipei Symphonic Band in January 14^th 2018, under the direction of  Dr. Po-Yuan Ku. 

This music has been selected as 2018 Taiwan Tuba Euphonium Competition Set Piece.

EEETTT

In Memory of our friend Tubabass Tzu-Ming Hsu Commissioned by EuTuba Euphonium and Tuba Ensemble.

This piece was commissioned by my close friend, Tubabass Tzu-Ming Hsu who was the member of EuTuba Euphonium and Tuba Ensemble and holds New Year's celebrations every year for Taiwanese bass and euphonium players. He told me that he would love to have a theme song for the New Year's event and we could play it every year. His enthusiasm for music and low brass group always touches me. Unfortunately, our friend left us before the premiere.

The first part of the piece begins with a powerful rhythm which means we have firm confidence and courage and ready to set off again. The opening section leads into a slow and touching melody which shows the charm of low brass.

I wrote this piece to encourage all the musicians and ensemble affected by the pandemic. Finally, I want to say to you in heaven, we will work hard to enforce your spirit and beliefs.

We will play this piece at New Year's events every year.

Wan-Yun Liang

with Piano

Commissioned by Yi-Hsun Tang

This piece is on the easier side and recommended for the high school level