Search - Johann Pachelbel, Orlande de Lassus, Orlando Gibbons :: Brass In Berlin

Two of the most amazing brass quintets in one.

classical-lover | California, USA | 07/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far the best fusion of two great brass sections ever recorded. This collection of 10-peice brass ensemble transcriptions combine the Canadian Brass and the brass section of the Berlin Philharmonic back in the eighties. Even if you're not crazy about Baroque/Renaissance counterpoint-style polychoral works, you wont even be thinking about the era the music is from. The Gabrielli selections demonstrate amazing interpretation, and the Albinoni Adagio is absolutely beautiful. The Pachelbel Cannon is the first track on the cd....and its the only arrangement of the cannon that I can still listen to. As overdone as the Cannon is today....(I saw a cd somewhere recently called "surfin' pachelbel" which really disturbed me....the cannon is so cheapened by people that think they can make money off of it)....this track will remind you how unique and beautiful it was originally intended to be. And Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is incredible... another seemingly cheapened composition is brought back to life in its original gorgeousness. The entire collection is relaxing and the musicianship is not to be compared with any other double brass quintet. You will not be disappointed."

Canadian and German Brasses Combine Forces Brilliantly!

James Yelvington | USA | 07/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although the Canadian Brass often appear in programs emphasizing the lighter, more entertaining aspects of music, they nonetheless play their instruments with a very high degree of skill, virtuosity, and refinement, and they play well together as a group, combining efforts to present excellent performances of whatever music they choose.



For this CD the Canadians focus on music of a loftier, more abstract--though no less delightful--character, and they call upon a matching quintet from the exalted ranks of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to join them in special polychoral arrangements of some of the finest products of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The twelve selections include a few items very popular with the general public, several favorites among brass music lovers, and a few less familiar pieces: a good set of choices calculated to please and to edify most any audience.



Into the first category fall the Pachelbel "Canon", the J.S. Bach "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and the so-called Albinoni "Adagio." The second group features 4 Gabrieli pieces and one Palestrina piece. Among the less familiar items are Orlando di Lasso's "Echo Song," Orlando Gibbons' "In Nomine," the opening movement of a Bach motet, and the "Magnificat" by none other than Johann Pachelbel's scarcely known but clearly talented son, Charles Theodore.



For the recording CBS utilized a custom-modified SONY digital recorder to capture optimally the sound of the illustrious group performing in the Jesus Christus Kirche (Jesus Christ Church) in Dahlem, West Berlin, in 1984 (before the unification of Germany). Though the brief liner notes don't mention such things, I'd wager that each player does his best to make a favorable impression upon his peer in the other group. Be that the case or not, the fact is that all the performances are truly excellent, aided by very favorable church acoustics. The sheer sonic delight of ten master players joining to produce the sizzling, brilliant tissue of sound characteristic of the finest brass ensemble music is perhaps the greatest attraction here. But the music itself, aside from its immediate sensuousness, is as enjoyable and uplifting anyone could wish: both interpretations and performances leave little room for dissatisfaction. If you understand and enjoy brass ensemble music of these eras, you are virtually guaranteed to be thrilled by this CD!

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