Of Knights & Castles

Raymond Premru (Composer), Eric [Composer] Coates (Composer), Percy Grainger (Composer), Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Anthony di [Composer/Trumpet] Lorenzo (Composer), Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Composer), Mikhail Mikhaylovich Ippolitov-Ivanov (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), John Bull (Composer), Girolamo Frescobaldi (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Antonio Soler (Composer), William [composer] Walton (Composer), Burning River Brass (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Burning River Brass
• Composer: Raymond Premru, Eric [Composer] Coates, Percy Grainger, Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, et al.
• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dorian Recordings
• ASIN: B00001XDR8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,391 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Baroque Dance Suites > Courantes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what you would expect, October 19, 1999

By 

F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Of Knights & Castles (Audio CD)

Given a title such as <Of Knights and Castles>, one would expect (especially from Dorian) a program of medieval troubador music and songs (of which a little goes a long way). But, as you can see from the contents list above, The Burning River Brass has gathered several symphonic pieces from all ages (19 in all, by the way) and arranged them very nicely indeed for brass ensemble.

One might question what Mozart's Queen of the Night is doing in such company, but she was trying to storm a fortress in the second act.... What matter, as long as it is played this well!

Like almost all Dorian products, this is a collection of music rare enough to guarantee its welcome into any collection--and as such makes a great gift for whatever occasion is coming up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Album!, December 31, 2007

By 

Carmen Scriptor - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Of Knights and Castles (MP3 Download)

This is a really fine album, of really fine brass music, superbly performed and recorded. Don't hesitate to buy it if you like brass music. I think it's much better than this ensemble's other recording available online, which contains music from Pictures at an Exhibition. I feel the repertoire on Of Knights and Castles is better suited for brass ensemble, and there's a greater variety of music, of different lengths, in different styles from different periods. If you're a brass player, you'll be impressed by how well these folks play. Their technique is excellent, their intonation is right on, the ensemble is well-balanced and there's a wonderful dynamic range. So, go ahead and buy it. You'll listen to it over and over again.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Brass!, November 11, 2004

By 

A Fan (Painted Post, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Knights & Castles (Audio CD)

Two nights ago I attended a Burning River Concert in a rather small intimate theatre. Amazing sounds and dynamics! Amazing virtuosity and amazing ensemble playing! I bought this CD at the concert and have been listening to it. The recording quality is quite good. At lot of the live excitement is captured. Some of the CD's selections were on the evening's program; the others are a nice surprise. The size of the group (eleven brass and one percussionist) is so much better than the usual quintet of, say, the Empire Brass. It's really interesting to hear the four trumpeters trade phrases - of course it's easier to detect this at live performances. And when they are all playing together at double forte level it can take your breath away. You should really crank up the volume to get the full benefit. Otherwise, make sure you attend their next concert in your neighborhood.