Customer Reviews

New American Brass

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The American Brass Quintet is truly the greatest ensemble the world has to offer. No other group can compete with the beautiful tone and lucidity of phrasing the ABQ continually presents. New American Brass is one of the ABQ's definative albums. With a vitality second only to hearing them perform live, New American Brass gives the listener a breathtaking panoramic view of the best contemporary brass chamber music. At the forefront of this album's selections is Eric Ewazen's Colchester Fantasy Suite, a living masterpiece that immidiately sweeps you into its current, and flows naturally into glistening rivulet of the main theme.

The caliber of the American Brass Quintet cannot be matched by any other brass quintet.

For many, brass quintet and the Candian Brass are synonymous, and that is unfortunate. For while the Canadian Brass is a top-notch ensemble, it is not the be-all and end-all of brass music. A case in point is the American Brass Quintet, and their performances on this CD. The works selected here are interesting (and accessible) compositions by contemporary American composers, whose names are not likely to be familiar. But don't be put off by that. Indeed, if you like brass music, you should find this CD most enjoyable and rewarding.

Incidently, the instrumentation of this group is slightly different than the standard brass quintet, in that it employs a bass trombone instead of a tuba.

The ABQ is unquestionably the premier brass quintet in the US, if not the world. And the music here is first-rate. Cutting edge, yet generally accessible to the listener. Ewazen's Colchester Fantasy, like his Frost Fire, are destined to be among the classics of the quintet literature. I would highly recommend this CD as well as the recording of Ewazen's Chamber music with the ABQ and other ensembles.

The American Brass Quintet to me as at the forefront of Brass Quintets, they are one of the only quintets out there who regulary plays and records original brass music. This CD features some of the best writers of modern brass music, Eric Ewazen. Colchester Fantsy if very intricate piece, as well as technically very challenging, but the technical aspects never take over, and the musical aspects of the piece always prevail. It is a great recording. Also Morning Music and Blackbird Variations were played very well. Overall the ABQ is one of the best chamber brass groups in the world and this recording demonstrates that.

As I said before, the ABQ is a fantastic brass ensemble. This music focuses more on the 20th century so it may not be for all people wanting to hear some awesome brass playing. As a trumpeter, I love all styles of music from the Renaissance all the way up to the modern era.

Thank you Amazon for delivering it earlier than expected and in excellent condition. I highly recommend anyone who needs a hard to find CD to order from Amazon.