Canadian Brass

Brass fans have had a few weeks now to really give a good listen to Canadian Brass’ newest release, Bach. What do they think? Here’s what Chuck had to report:

It’s fun to be hearing so much positive response to a CD, especially in these days of reading about the ‘demise’ of the CD. We felt each piece was incredibly special on the Bach CD, and apparently our friends & fans are feeling similarly. Ron Romm’s arrangement of the “Little Fugue in G minor” is an absolute “must play” amongst brass players all over the world now, 35 years after he made this arrangement for our first LP made in Canada. It was that LP that caught the attention of New York manager Kazuko Hillier (then wife of Juilliard String Quartet’s Raphael Hillier). Kazuko said that he approved the artistry of the group and that she “fell in love with the guys.” Tony Rickard is a name that has become well known to audiences attending our annual concert in Avery Fischer Hall every December. Tony is responsible for many of the heroic large brass works we feature along with the principal brass guys out of the New York Philharmonic. In the Bach Overtures we felt he had achieved the grandeur of an entire orchestra in this arrangement for ten brass and tympani. You will be seeing the name Michael Allen, arranger of “Aire pour les trompettes”, a lot more this spring when we release Legends featuring some great solo performances by Ryan Anthony, Joe Burgstaller, Jeff Nelsen and Bernhard Scully. These recordings are putting us back on the Billboard charts – 4th decade in a row – and are confirming the ‘coming of age’ for brass the world over.

What do you think of Bach? Let us know by emailing friends@canbrass.com!