Customer Reviews

Class Brass

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is an absolute joy to experience! The recording proves to all who may doubt, that brass quintet is a medium capable of musical miracles! The pieces here are taken from the orchestral repetoire and have been arranged for five brass voices. Trumpeter Rolf Smedvig and his ensemble perform in a manner that is always immaculate, tasteful and above all, musical. The precision of the enemble playing here is in a word, astonishing. On track #1, 'Procession of the Nobles', for example, there is a moment where the 2nd trumpet begins an ascending line that is overtaken and completed by the 1st trumpet. The transition is so liquid and seemless that the casual listener will not even be aware that the line wasn't played by one person! Tubist Samuel Pilafian offers a lovely arrangement of Copland's 'Simple Gifts' that shows off a wide range of sound from soft and sweet to bold and grand. Another favorite is the joyous 'Slavonic Dance No. 8' with its rollicking, sunny feel and inspiring dynamic contrast. Brass enthusiasts, purchase this recording with confidence! It is amazing!

This Classic album has stellar brass playing and should be more easily available. A must for aspiring musicians as an "introductory" recording.

The quality of sound and ensemble these guys achieve together is awesome. They do a superb job on every piece on this album. The selection of pieces creates an unexpected whole that's really refreshing. This is not just for brass lovers. They selected pieces that don't get perfomed/recorded all that often so it's great just to hear them at all. This is going into my "favorites" bin.

Perfect. The best performance of the best music.