Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits

Philip Jones Brass Ensemble (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• SPARS Code: AAD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000056PRA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,079 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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!

13 of 14 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

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start! Now where is the rest?, May 31, 2001

By	Michael Malloy (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have always been a huge fan of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. They set a very high standard of playing and the recordings, most of which are not available on CD, are excellent.

Where are their landmark recordings of such works as the Hindemith works for brass ensembles: Concert music for strings and brass, Morgenmusik for brass, Concert music for piano, brass and harps which they played flawlessly?

Where is their outstanding recording of the Gunther Schuller Symphony for Brass?

Please, Decca, give us more of the full course, not merely the teasers and encores.

Partial LP discography:

Baroque Brass: 1979 Baroque Venice: 1972 La battaglia (Battles for brass): 1981 Carnaval des animals: 1984 Classics for brass: 1972/73 Gabrielis in Venice: 1983 Golden brass: 1974 Just Brass: 1970 Konzertmusik (Hindemith): 1981 Modern brass: 1979 Renaissance brass: 1976 Arrival of the Queen of Sheba: 1983 Strings and brass (Gabrieli, Vejvanovsky, Vivaldi): 1970 Voices and brass: 1969 The world of brass: 1976