The Unknown Soldier (Movement II) for euphonium and wind band by Ricardo Molla Albero. Performed by Airman First Class Andrew Berry and the Band of the Golden West under the direction of Staff Sergeant Chester Howard at the Pantages Theater (Tacoma, WA) on May 12th, 2024.
From the composer:
"The composition refers to the figure of the unknown soldier, a monument that honors soldiers who died in war and whose remains have not been identified. The idea of the unknown soldier arose after World War I, when many soldiers died in battle and their bodies were never recovered or identified. In response to this tragedy, monuments were created to honor those who gave their lives for their country and whose remains were never found.
This piece aims to highlight the figure of the unknown soldier as a universal symbol of sacrifice and bravery. Through the three movements of this concerto, one anonymous story of soldiers who gave their lives in the hope of finding a better future is told through music. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that this story takes place in one of the most representative war zones of World War II: Normandy and the entire coast of Le Havre."