Search - Jan Bach, David Sampson, Gunther Schuller :: Premier: American Brass Quintet

Contemporary brilliance

Scott Taylor | 04/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The members of the American Brass Quintet have deservedly earned the title of "...the high priests of brass". The medium is still a relatively new one in the world of chamber music. The ABQ have been leaders in legitimizing and commercializing music for the brass quintet. Their effort in the championing of new works is present here on this recording. The strictly "legit" ensemble performs new masterworks by some of America's leading composers. David Sampson has been commissioned three times by the group. His "Distant Voices" is a delight in sonority and orchestration. He plays with the endless capabilites of the instruments and their performers. The music is moving, reflective, explosive, and driving at times. Gunther Schuller's "Brass Quintet No. 2" is a tour de force for the group. The Dan Welcher Quintet is the most surprising work on the disc. I was totally unfamiliar with his work until this recording and I have recently become intrigued by him. The Finale of movement 4 had me screaming for more. Jan Bach's neo-renaissance mobile, "Triptych", closes out an exceptional disc of fine music-making. The ensemble is top-notch and without error. Highly suggested!"