By Ulla Colgrass, November 1999(last updated June 2006)
The virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet
an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet
— having just celebrated its 35th season — 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!
"The enthralling sound of
a brass choir ... programs that feature virtuosic musicianship,
masterful interpretations and flashes of humour ... repertoire
that encompasses Bach to blues - all these ingredients make
the Canadian Brass the world's leading brass ensemble.
These are the men who put brass
music on the map: with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity,
spontaneity and humour, they brighten the rosters of concert
halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout
the world. Their numerous recordings, frequent television
appearances and tireless efforts in the realm of music education
have resulted in vast new audiences for the Art of the Canadian
Brass." (Washington Post)
