Read what's new with the Canadian Brass!
The
virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for
serious concert music. The quintet, currently celebrating its 40th anniversary,
has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special
affinity for Baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure
that has become the Canadian Brass' trademark.
Their more than 60 recordings to date include works by
Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner -all in
meticulously crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in
brass performance. They are especially drawn to the works of J.S. Bach.
The Canadian Brass sprang from modest and highly
experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario, in 1970. The brass quintet was not
established as a serious concert ensemble at that time, and it proved an
irresistible challenge to Gene and Chuck. Their imagination and consummate
musicianship eventually elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is
today.
Thanks to their pioneer status, the quintet developed a
unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it
has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass master the gamut of
concert presentations -from formal classical concerts to music served up with
lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is
central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence.
The "fabulous five" spend most of their time on
tour, and have performed with many major symphony orchestras in the US, Canada,
Europe and Japan. They have gained a large international following of their
solo performances that offer a large variety of musical styles.
Having started with the very limited base of traditional
works for brass, Canadian Brass set out to create their own musical world by
transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works; the most recent
being the brilliant Quintet by Michael Kamen.
They are not only presenting works in the classical
repertoire but continue to take daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert
music and popular songs. This has been most recently exemplified by
collaborations with young baritone Giles Tomkins on his classical-crossover
debut And So It Goes, and the Brass' release High Society, a collection of
early jazz favourites arranged for the group by Duke Ellington's legendary
collaborator Luther Henderson. Most of this music is published by Hal Leonard.
It is the inspiration and musical staple of students and brass ensembles in
North America and Europe.
Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass
in such shows as The Tonight Show, Today, and Entertainment Tonight. They have
appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston
Pops, Beverly Sills' Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials. The
quintet has also created eight videos that have gained an international
audience and has just released a DVD that captures the group in performance
over three decades entitled "Three Nights with Canadian Brass".
All members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in
training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world,
they often pause for master classes. The famous five are chamber
quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara,
California. Additionally, they have created an innovative brass summer course
at the famous Eastman School of Music. They have been invited by the Canadian
Government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions.
With over three decades under their belts, Canadian Brass
continues to fill concert halls and thrill audiences around the world. And,
they don't look like letting up anytime soon!
By Ulla Colgrass,
November 1999 (last updated June 2006)
Celebrate with the Canadian Brass!
For more about the Canadian Brass, click here.
