The Solo de Concert [published at first by Millereau (Schoenaers succ'.) - 1861-1917 - but no more available since], is dedicated to his brother Joseph-Bernard Vidal (1859-1924), as well conductor and composer.
An initial Allegro in A minor challenges the velocity of the trombone in the high register. Followed by a lyrical Adagio, in E minor. The final part in 3/8 is an Allegro Vivo in A major, which turns into a sung phrase in D major, before taking up the tone of A for the final part of upright arpeggios and descending scales of a certain virtuosity. The Solo de Concours is a typical example of a piece for competitions: it exposes an inventory of the instrumental technique of the time.
The "Morceau de lecture a premiere vue" (Prima Vista piece) is linked to the competition for which the Solo de Concert was composed. In fact, the rules of the competition at the Paris Conservatory stated that, apart from the Competition Piece, the participants had another required work. Shorter, it would be to sight read the day of the contest. Generally, the composer of the competition piece also composed the piece to be sight read. In 1897 Paul Vidal composed this test piece, the Solo de Concours No. 2.
During the first period of the 19th century, the accompaniment of the sight-reading piece was most frequently entrusted to the cello. Later, the piano gradually took place, depending on the instruments. The trombone started to be accompanied by the pianofrom 1872. -Benny Sluchin