Search - Washington Symphonic Brass, Carl Nielsen :: Nielsen on Brass

Review by Roger Hecht, American Record Guide

04/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""That's right. Nielsen's Third symphony, the Espansiva complete,arranged by trumpeter Phil Snedecor for a brass ensemble of four each of trumpets, horns, and trombones, plus euphonium, tuba, organ, and percussion.
Because the piece is somewhat vertical with a lot of brass to begin with,it lends itself to this treatment." "Even so, this is no simple project. "The use of the organ is ingenious, from reed and brass stops to filling in textures to dramatic solo appearances."
"The arrangement is brilliant, and the performance is a knockout."
"The trumpets have the technique and the stamina to cope with these difficult string parts, and while this is not the first time I've heard a tuba and euphonium carry off low string parts, I'm impressed." "The organ is resplendent."
"Conductor Stevens (also principal trombonist of the NationalSymphony)catches the energy and spirit of the first movement without losing the spatial qualities of the second or the grandness of the fourth movement."
"It would be a sacrilege to say that this is not just a brass ensemble doing well with the Nielsen Third, but rather a terrific performance of
the Nielsen Third, period."
"That the symphony is the star of the program takes nothing away from the stirring organ chorales, arranged for organ and brass quintet by Stevens. The Aladdin incidental music (arranged by Snedecor) sounds haunting and intimate in this setting.""