8168 Benton Way
Arvada, Colorado 80003-1810
(303) 429-4292 (fax)
bldrbrs@comcast.net
boulderbrass.org
myspace.com/boulderbrass
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8168 Benton Way (303) 429-4292 (fax)
bldrbrs@comcast.net |
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Dorian Records DOR-93204 Rondeau - Jean Joseph Mouret |
Harry Downey for Music Web International - Classical Music on the Web A modern brass ensemble playing arrangements of Baroque is not an original concept - the American author of the sleeve notes refers to the Philip Jones recordings made some years back and remembered with affection by many of us - but there is always room in the market for a well-produced article such as this CD. The instrumentalists - sixteen in all who are used in an assortment of groupings - are based in the city of Boulder, Colorado - hence the disc's title. It is tempting to continue the play on words with references to Rock Music or the Rolling Stones but, with some regret, the temptation will be firmly resisted. The players, unknown probably to collectors in the UK, include section principals from U.S. regional orchestras and hold various Professorial chairs so the standard of performance should not come as a surprise. Fourteen works have been arranged - all by tuba player Michael Allen. There are solo passages but no soloist dominates any particular piece and the appeal of the writing comes from the unity of the ensemble playing. With a good acoustic and well-defined recording the main appeal comes in the clarity of the writing defining the lines in the contrapuntal works - for instance Track 3, with its section from the Art of Fugue an absorbing piece to follow through its aural cat's-cradle. Inevitably in a baroque selection Bach is heavily featured with seven of the fourteen tracks. The selection has well-known works such as the Air on a G String, Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring and the Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor. Four arrangements of William Byrd - taken from the Fitzwilliam Collection - made an attractive central group. This is a thoroughly enjoyable disc and can be warmly
recommended. In whatever combination the players are in at any time the balance
is good and technically excellent and with a warm blend that points to ample
rehearsal time. |
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American Fanfare - Wasson |
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Angels We Have Heard on High - Elkjer |
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