Customer Reviews

No Boundaries

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Their self-titled first album, 'The 5 Browns' was an immediate hit, leading to TV appearances as well as concerts. Their second CD 'No Boundaries' is just out, and it's pure pleasure. Three cuts feature all five of them; but there are also several by one alone, or two or three of them, in various configurations, including the three sisters at one piano. The possibilities are endless!

Three tracks feature all 5 Browns, and the amount of sound that comes from five pianos is astonishing. At times they manage to sound very like a Jazz Band in that version of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'. The pairing of Copland's Shaker hymn 'Simple Gifts' from Appalachian Spring and Dvorak's 'Going Home' theme from his Ninth Symphony, is a masterful idea. 'The Firebird' by Stravinsky comes to vivid life under the 50 fingers of the siblings. It begins with the utmost delicacy, and evolves into effervescent musical color.

Two of the sisters perform first as a duet (four hands, one piano) in The 'Feria' section of Ravel's lyrical and evocative 'Rhapsodie espagnole.' Later, they each get their own instrument for a scintillating version of the two-piano duo by Witold Lutosławski--his 'Variations on a Theme of Paganini'.

The most recent composition featured on the CD-'Gargoyles, Op. 29', by Lowell Liebermann (born 1941), or two sections of it show the formidable interpretive talent of another sister. III: Allegro monderato and IV: Presto feroce.

The brothers aren't left out, however. Greg shines in two solo tracks: 'Full Stride Ahead, Rag' by John Novacek, and the 'Hungarian Rhapsody No.6' of Franz Liszt. It's probably not coincidence that both of these works are strongly-if quirkily-rhythmical, rather forceful pianistic displays, at which he very clearly excels.

Youngest brother Ryan has three portions of a suite by Alberto Ginastera all to himself. 'Danzas argentinas, Op. 2' vividly portrays three segments of Argentinian society. There is no quibble about who's who in this version: the Old Cowherd is trying to convince himself and everyone else that he's still capable in this Latin perpetual motion. The delightful young girl is dreamy as she thinks of the tango, while the artful herdsman is full of swagger and busy-ness. It's all there in the music.

All three sisters somehow manage to fit themselves and their six hands at one piano for Sergei Rachmaninoff's 'Valse' and 'Romance'. This is charming, lilting piano music at its best. You may even think you're hearing a part of one of the piano concertos before the music reasserts itself and goes on its own charming way.

This CD has something for everyone-of any age. It's charming, vivacious, passionate, and gorgeously performed. Kudos to the un-named engineers as well. No wonder the 5 Browns are Steinway artists.

This CD was a great purchase. The Browns have phenomenal technical virtuosity, which is not compromised by their choice of extremely difficult pieces. The numbers that have all of them playing together are specifically impressive, as I could not discern they were separate players. They play together so seamlessly, it is hard to believe they are all so young. However, I guess you would expect that from the first family ever to have all 5 children get into Julliard and receive scholarships no less. Their talent will amaze you.

With yet another stunning performance released on DVD, I find myself again reviewing one of their sterling effortless efforts. This time around I want to comment on their repertoire which is far from being a classical standard repertoire of any sort. When I was the age of the youngest brother, I was very interested in learning to play the piano compositions of Aaron Copland and Charles Ives. My college professors thought that I should not waste my spirit on these unimportant works and that I should spend more time working on pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart. When I looked at what the Browns are working on and how they choose to perform the pieces they play so well, I began to realize that someone very near and dear had probably told them to "Go for it. Follow your bliss. Work on what really appeals to you and run with it." I am particularly interested in Melody's approach to the two Gargoyles compositions which she plays with youthful exuberance. I noticed that same youthful exuberance in her rendition of Debussy's L'Isle Joyeux on the first album, an exuberance which I have found lacking in performances of this work rendered by older, more conservative pianists. And all the Browns are the same with regard to this. Whether performing separately or together, their repertoire allows them to show their talent in the best possible light. And there will be time for the more conventional composers later. For now I say to them, "Go for it. Don't hold back." And then just sit back and enjoy the show.

I would have to say that I was absolutely amazed with this CD. I'm usually not the type of person who would listen to classical music, but I thoroughly loved it. I love playing it in the car on the way to class; it gets me relaxed. Buy 'No Boundaries'!! You will not regret it!

I had always been a little bored by music for 2 or more pianos, but this disc changed my mind -- very exciting!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting The 5 Browns - what a nice bunch. They are all very talented, but the sum is even better than the parts -- what playing & what great enthusiasm. They obviously have fun making music together and they have the chops to make it exciting for the listener. Especially fun are Rhapsody in Blue and the excerpts from the Firebird. The DVD video bits are a nice bonus.

I'm waiting impatiently for their next disc.

...this CD would have our planet twirling voraciously. The Browns are back, and they're as stunning as ever. The brilliant fivesome (Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan) simply shine in this recording. Their first recording was absoulutely breathtaking, but you could sense a cautious sort of "nervousness." The 5 Browns have overcome all caution, nervous or naught, and whiz confidently through dazzling solos, duets, and, of course, quintets. The highlights of this CD for me personally were 1) The 5 piano Rhapsody in Blue 2) Malaguena, performed by the lovely Brown brothers 3) Last but DEFINATELY not least, the 5 piano interpretation of Stravinsky's Firebird. Oh, I cannot convey to you the power and incandescent beauty of 'The Firebird,' especially on 5 pianos! 'The Firebird' alone makes this CD a winner. Other than that, frankly, I didn't get all excited about the other tracks. The Argentinian Dances are quite masterfully performed by Ryan, and I very much enjoyed Desirae and Deondra's (the inseparable duoists) 'Variations on a Theme of Paganini." This is not to be confused with the immensely popular 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini'(composed by the incomparable Rachmaninoff.) All in all, if you enjoy a twist (but a respectful twist) on the world's greatest music, you will enjoy the power that's contained in this little Dual Discer.
(As a closing note, the video side of the disc is very entertaining, including music videos of Rhap in Blue, Simple Gifts, and The Firebird. Of course they cut the clips a bit, and I won't say it isn't noticeable, but boy is it cool to see the 5 in action!)

Well, I must say that I enjoyed this second CD better than the first one. There was more variety and I loved the arrangements for 5 pianos! As a teen classical pianist, it is cool to see someone finally making classical music fun and interesting. They have re-inspired me and my love for classical music!

I remember listening to their debut album and I really fell in love with their music. When I heard they were releasing a sophomore CD I couldn't wait to listen to the music. I must say that the music on their second CD sounds a lot better than the stuff on their debut CD. The music doesn't feel as stiff as the music on the first CD. I loved watching the music videos on the DVD side but I wished there was a behind the scene type thing included. I hope they are recording another CD because I want to hear more from them.

I love the energy that the 5 Browns produce in their music. An inspiration to listen to. Even in the quiet music, you can hear the emotion coming from their hearts. My only suggestion - I would love to have their names written under their pictures.

I really enjoyed the DualDisc version. Being able to see the 5 Browns playing adds so much. This is a wonderful disk. A great gift to introduce younger and older audiences to classical music!