Magic Horn

Canadian Brass (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Canadian Brass
• Audio CD (November 16, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Opening Day Recordings
• ASIN: B0006PIQ3M
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,495 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. With You I'm Born Again

2. Libertango

3. Contrabajeando

4. Oblivion

5. Fracanapa

6. Caprice No. 24

7. Cakewalk on a Tightrope

8. Preacher On the Pier

9. Magic Horn Tango

10. State Street Stomp

11. Concerto in G Major

12. Toccata

13. Rondo (from Horn Quintet K407)

14. Water Music - Allegro Vivace

15. Water Music - Air

16. Water Music - Hornpipe

17. Water Music - Allegro Maestoso

18. Echoes of Harlem

19. Quintet

Editorial Reviews

The five virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet — now in its 34th season — consists of Joe Burgstaller, trumpet; Stuart Laughton, trumpet; Jeff Nelsen, French horn; Gene Watts, trombone; and Chuck Daellenbach on tuba. The group has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special affinity for Baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass’ trademark. Their more than 50 recordings to date include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner — all in meticulously crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in brass performance. They are especially drawn to the works of J.S. Bach. The Canadian Brass sprang from modest and highly experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario, in 1970. The brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble at that time, and it proved an irresistible challenge to Gene and Chuck. Their imagination and consummate musicianship eventually elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today. Thanks to their pioneer status, the quintet developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass master the gamut of concert presentations — from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence. Having started with the very limited base of traditional works for brass, Canadian Brass set out to create their own musical world by transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works; the most recent being the brilliant Quintet by Michael Kamen. They are not only presenting works in the classical repertoire but continue to take daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert music and popular songs. Most of this music, including the Quintet, is published by Hal Leonard. It is the inspiration and musical staple of students and brass ensembles in North America and Europe. All members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, performing on gold-plated Yamaha instruments, they often pause for master classes. The famous five are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. Additionally, they have created an innovative brass summer course at the famous Eastman School of Music. They have been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions. There is no letting up for the Brass who posses a childlike love for what they do. It comes so naturally, it's hard to imagine them ever stopping!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music, Passion, Joy - Indeed!, February 18, 2005

By 

David Lynch "Low-Strung" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magic Horn (Audio CD)

Few recordings of any music type find their way into my library "sound unheard". Works of The Canadian Brass have typically found their way into my library just that way - they simply never produce anything but the best!

Magic Horn would certainly have been added to my collection at some point without a prior listening, but I had the great fortune to attend a recent CB concert where much of this beautiful music was played. Incidentally, if you've never attended a live CB performance, you've robbed yourself of one of the great musical experiences in life. Their recordings clearly reveal the members as masters of their trade - they are consummate musicians. However, what doesn't come across in the CDs is that they are entertainers of the highest caliber as well! Simply put, a CB concert is a guaranteed "BLAST" - it's the best sort of treat!

Now, back to the subject at hand: the key word here is "Magic". The repertoire of The Canadian Brass is astounding in its breadth and depth, and the selections of Magic Horn demonstrate once again, that nobody else does it quite like these guys. Who else in this genre would reprise the 80's Motown hit With You I'm Born Again - how appropriate, as it is certainly born again here. Astor Piazzolla's Cuatro Tangos gets an enthralling interpretation with trumpeter Burgstaller's fiery arrangement. Bramwell Tovey's Santa Barbara Sonata is simply sublime - I would gladly have purchased this CD if it only contained this piece! In what might just be the CD's finest moment (in the movement entitled "Preacher on the Pier") the familiar tune of J.S. Bach's hymn (Now thank we all our God) enters, "floating" on piccolo trumpet in counterpoint above the other parts - I believe Bach would heartily approve! He would undoubtedly approve of the inclusion of his Concerto in G Major. Frescobaldi's Toccata is a lyric beauty, as is Mozart's Rondo. Excerpts of Handel's Water Music and a Paganini Caprice round out the classical offerings on Magic Horn very nicely, indeed! The Ellington-Henderson Echoes of Harlem is an absolute gem - making me yearn for that bygone era! And, Quintet (so aptly named as the "bonus" track) - wow, what a bonus! The enhanced CD Feature (Music video of Quintet) is a very nice added touch.

Canadian Brass fans will no doubt be grabbing up Magic Horn in serious numbers. It's a sure bet that what you get with CB is musical expression at the summit. It's true, the group has undergone personnel changes over the years, but the anchors (Gene Watts on trombone, and Chuck Daellenbach on Tuba) remain; plus Stuart Laugton on trumpet (an original CB member) has returned! These stalwarts are an inspiration - a blessing for so many fans who are thankful that this group endures and continues to craft only the finest!

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic Horns, October 4, 2010

By 

Gregory A. Reichwein "DYNGAR" (Uniontown, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magic Horn (Audio CD)

Seeing these guys live in concert prompted me to order this CD ... I played it for a week and never tired of it, great to sit and listen to or use for background.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whole Gamut, March 8, 2007

By 

John M. Connally (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magic Horn (Audio CD)

I was introduced to this CD via YouTube. A brass player advised me to take a look and listen. It was one of the highlights of 07 for me. As a musician with no small amount of background, I can truthfully say that this reminds me of moments in my own career when I was blessed to be in the presence of greatness. The Canadian Brass is and established group of the highest caliber. Magic Horn is a good mix of styles and genre. The Bonus, a musical video filmed in a beautiful gorge west of Toronto is ethereal. The only sad part of the CD/Video is the commemoration at the end of Quintet. The loss of Michael Kamen as a composer is everyone's loss. What a gorgeous tribute. More Please!!