Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits

Philip Jones Brass Ensemble (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000056PRA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #58 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Quintets
  • #68 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910)
  • #85 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Marches

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Earle Of Oxfords March

2. Renaissance Ste: La Mourisque

3. Renaissance Ste: Bransle Quatre Bansles

4. Renaissance Ste: Ronde

5. Renaissance Ste: Basse Danse Bergeret

6. Renaissance Ste: Ronde Mon Amy

7. Renaissance Ste: Pavane Bataille

8. Battle Ste: Galliard Battaglia

9. Battle Ste: Courant Dolorosa

10. Battle Ste: Canzon 'In Imitation Of An English Bergamask'

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Fanfare For The Common Man

2. Etude Characteristique No.1

3. Sleeping Beauty: Waltz

4. Four Pieces For Brass Qnt: Maestoso Alla Marcia

5. Four Pieces For Brass Qnt: Scherzo

6. Four Pieces For Brass Qnt: Andante Con Moto

7. Four Pieces For Brass Qnt: Allegro Grazioso

8. Ser in G, K.525 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik'

9. Ragtime Dance

10. Frere Jacques

See all 32 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits, March 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

It should have been called - "Everything you always wanted to know about Brass chamber music but couldn't play"! A great double CD from one of the greatest Brass Ensembles ever. Brass standards like the Malcolm Arnold Quintet, Eugene Bozza's Sonatine and Victor Ewalds 1st Quintet are played with flair and perfection. Add to that the wonderful and still amazing version of Pictures at an Exhibition as well as other standard fare and you have a great overview of the group as well as brass music through the ages. From the magnificence of the Renaissance to fun loving Ragtime - it's all there. Check out the Richard Strauss Fanfare from Stadt Wein - WOW! Not to be missed is Tuba virtuoso John Fletcher playing his version of Sleeping Beauty and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. He records himself playing all four parts - an awesome display of musicianship and talent. Most of these tracks have never been available before. A real treat. What a band! What a sound! WHAT A RECORD!! I recommend this to anyone who likes great music and great playing!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome Back PJBE, October 19, 2001

By 

James Baker (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

It is ironic that London/Decca waited until many of the important members of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble were dead before finally releasing this collection of highlights from the ensemble's considerable catalog. Don't misunderstand me! I am thankful for this substantial 2 cd set. For fans of the PJBE there is real cause for celebration; and for those who are just discovering the work of this important brass ensemble, you are in for a treat.

The remastering is first rate and you can't beat the 2-fer pricing. Get this set while its available because the wait for more will at best be a long one. Thankfully, I still have most of the PJBE recordings on vinyl and a good turntable for playing them. But I would still be near the head of the line to snatch up any subsequent reissues. Years ago I saw several of their recordings on cd, but foolishly passed on them, thinking they would be in circulation for awhile. Silly me. Like I said, grab this before they post the infamous notice "no longer available."

When the PJBE made it's first American tour back in the 70s I was already a huge fan. I went to hear them play, never expecting the concert to sound as good as the recordings. They opened with the Tylman Susato Renaissance Suite and their playing immediately blew away any Memorex memories of their recordings. Unfortunately, we will never again hear live such virtuosity and musicianship. The recordings DO serve as a fine memory of the first and foremost brass ensemble.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing better than this!, July 10, 2006

By 

H. Thomas (Schweiz) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

There are many brass recordings available today with ensembles which are even technically more advanced, but nothing can compare with Philip Jones, because the PJBE is not only pure precision playing, it's musicality too and it's smart arranging. Jones understands how to use the characteristics of each instrument. He lets room for Tuba or Horn too, its not just Trumpet always playing the big parts like Empire Brass does.