Customer Reviews

Center City Brass

5 star:		(5)
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The playing here is extraordinarily fine, and all of the
music chosen for the disc is first-rate. The recording
quality is of demonstration class. Really gorgeous sound.
Astonishingly good control of intonation, articulation,
and dynamics.

If you can spare [the money], do not hesitate to purchase
this CD. It's a lesson in the art of brass playing. If
you've ever performed with a brass quintet as I have, you
will appreciate what Center City Brass Quintet has achieved
here. Wow!

I almost fell out of my seat the first time I heard this album. The sound and quality the quintet puts out knocked my socks off. All of the music is extremely well-written and well-played, especially Dahl's Music for (six) Brass Instruments. The quintet is simply amazing. I definitely recommend this album for any brass-lovers.

I'm a professional trumpet player & educator. I've rehearsed & performed everything on this CD at least once, more likely three or four times. I've coached these tunes with student groups, and I've heard them in concerts. So I thought, "ho-hum, another brass quintet... ho-hum,another recording of the Ewald..." Then on the way to a gig my buddy insisted that I listen to the Center City Brass, and popped it in the dashboard. Within minutes, I was writhing on the floorboard, speaking in tongues. Every time I re-listen now, I am more and more astonished at the virtuosity and musicianship of these players. Their playing represents the most formidable sound and technique of the best-trained orchestral players in the world, and the polished phrasing of the ensemble playing is worthy of the world's finest string quartets. The playing is passionate too, ranging from uncompromisingly savage to heartbreakingly beautiful. And it's all captured in a sonically excellent recording. I'm requiring all my students to buy one!

This is a great CD. The Center City Brass Quintet plays mostly works written for brass quintet, with the exception of the Maurer piece (which is not very interesting), rather than the range of arrangements so common on brass recordings. Dahl's Music For Six Brass Instruments is my favorite composition for small brass ensemble, and the CCBQ bring a wonderfully symphonic sound and intensity to the work which suits it perfectly.

I had not heard of the Center City Brass Quintet before now, but after listening to this recording I am very, very impressed by them. The quality of their individual and ensemble playing is extremely high. I've heard these pieces played by many well-respected quintets over the last thirty years, but I haven't heard anyone play them better. Highly recommended.