Search - University of Nevada Las Vegas Wind Orchestra :: BCM...Saves the World

Band Music of the 21st century

05/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Do you like the classic band sound? Do you play Sousa marches on your CD player 24 hours a day? Can't get enough of those arrangements of movie music and orchestral standards? If this is the case then this is NOT the album for you. These 4 composers make it a point not to do anything of that sort. Their stated goal is "to create music for the wind ensemble medium not bound by traditional thought or idiomatic cliché" and, if this is truly the case, then I think they (and the superb UNLV Wind Orchestra) have suceeded in creating something that every kind of music fan will find appealing.If you know Eric Whitacre's choral works, then you will be pleasantly surprised and deeply moved by his wind arrangement of 'Cloudburst.' You'll also laugh until you cry during 'Godzilla Eats Las Vegas' in proof positive that Whitacre (and the rest of BCM) have a wicked sense of humor.Jonathan Newman's 'Uncle Sid' and 'OK Feel Good' are 2 other standouts for humor. The first is a twisted version of 'Hava Nagila' and if the second one doesn't bring a smile to your face at a certain point towards the end, then you have no soul.Steven Bryant gets a bit more contemplative during his beautiful 'the logic of all my dreams.' He gets so much "lushness" (if that's a word) into the orchestration that you'll swear you hear strings. At first glance, James Bonney doesn't strike one as a stereotypical composer in the classical sense. But he proves it nonetheless with his innovative 'Chaos Theory.' Who would ever think of putting a solo electric guitar with an ensemble known for 'Stars and Stripes Forever'? A member of BCM International...that's who!"