Horovitz in Switzerland
4th December 2002
The invitation to guest-conduct this concert originated from the Swiss euphonium virtuosos, Thomas Ruedi, who won first prize in the European Solo Championships for brass players in Munich in 1999 with the Horovitz Euphonium Concerto, and who played the work in its wind orchestra version with the Swiss Army Wind Orchestra at the opening concert of the WASBE Conference in Lucerne in 2001.
Samson was commissioned by the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain for the 1977 Gala Concert in the Royal Albert Hall. It has received many performances worldwide since its first performance. One of the few extended works for brass band and chorus, its libretto by Chris Judge Smith is based on the biblical story.
