Customer Reviews

No Boundaries

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These young, hip, classically trained wonders have definitely shown that their first album was only the beginning. Brilliant playing by all individually (or in duet form) and unbelievable sync-ness when armed with five pianos and 50 fingers. If you're looking for something different in the classical realm, look no further. A great introduction to classical music for the younger set.

Years ago, when I was still an Origami Sakka (master of paperfolding) I had two artistic rules that I followed: 1) find out what everybody else is doing in the field, and 2) do something that nobody else in the field is doing. So where some of the other technical masters were working on increasing the number of ways to fold a paper elephant, I was making paper bananas and folded masks of Woody Allen, Laurel and Hardy, and a full figure multipiece construction of Charlie Chaplin. I was even wrongfully credited with inventing a style of origami called "pictorial origami."
And what does this have to do with the Browns? Well, pianists are a dime a dozen, and the only way anyone can make it in that particularly dense artistic field is if they can come up with something different. Aside from being young and highly technically gifted, the Browns have a tendency to choose non-conventional works that best show off their unique abilities. And this album features a lot of very unconventional works: Lutoslawski's Variations on a Theme of Paganini (played by the two oldest sisters); Novacek's Full Stride Ahead Piano Rag (played by Gregory); Gargoyles (played by Melody); Ginastera's Danzas Argentinas (played by Ryan); and a superb version for five pianos of Stravinsky's Firebird. And let us not ignore Desirae and Deondra's dazzling version of Ravel's Feria which sounds more like ten pianists than two.
As with their first DVD/CD there are marvelous video clips of the Browns blasting away on their five Steinways. I was disappointed that there was no interview clip like there was on the last. Well, there's always next time.

The music is soothing and energetic all rolled up in one. The 5 Browns are great and they are youthfull and do music justice in an age or music that is loosing it's creativity. The videos are inspiring.

The 5 Browns are nothing short of fantastic. A marvel of 5 virtuosos, playing symbiotically as one is amazing to me (me being a pianist as well), with all the subtle nuances in their performance, yet they sound as one piano (5 grand pianos could sound like a train wreck with some of the helter skelter, crazy piano passages), but no, they are seamless and perfect.

It has been a long time since I have been excited about a classical music recording of any kind. Although a novelty to have 5 Julliard virtuosos from one family is enough of a gimmick to launch this crew, but it is also quite another to actually move beyond the gimmick and perform the classics and present them in a refreshing way. They certainly make a refreshing contributution to the world of classical music recording where they straddle the world of classical music and that of pop culture with their young appeal and look. They have an ability to reach many audiences and inspire a new generation of young classical piantists, my daughter included! 5 Stars for 5 Browns!

This second DualDisc of the 5 Browns is outstanding. Their musical abilities are amazing and the video work is fun and interesting. I look forward to more selections from these amazing youngsters.

I have enjoyed not only listening to this CD, but have enjoyed watching these 5 talented siblings play their pianos on the DVD side. This CD has allowed me to continue to enjoy listening and watching the 5 Browns that I was fortunate to see and listen to in person.

5 great stars get 5 star rating -
For anyone who loves the piano (or pianos), this album is a must for any collection of pop/classical renditions of music you already love, by some of the very best musicians that today brings to your speakers and a sound that these young artists provide. You will love every second of this album - better than their first....keep up the great piano work

I was very impressed with the first DVD / CD from the 5 Browns, and and at least as impressed with this latest one too! Just wonderful talented people, producing dynamic, exciting and moving music. Great stuff.

I really enjoyed the first 3 songs on the CD. However, some of the unfamiliar songs were overpowering to me. I must admit that I bought their CD for Rhapsody in Blue which is truly awazing. I listen to it over and over.

These talent kids are waesom they are just wounderful.