| The concert was absolutely STUNNING!!!
I was pleased to see the auditorium pretty full. However, it was mostly senior citizens - not many young people, sadly. I wish every brass student in the area had been there. Actually, every music student should have been there. You didn't have to be a brass player to enjoy it and learn from it.
The musicians were superb! It was obvious they were really enjoying themselves. Great stage presence - wonderful humor - even some great singing!
The arrangements and compositions just left me speechless. There were so many times that I heard things and could only say, "that was sooooooo beautiful" - the kinds of sounds you don't want to end (even from the TROMBONES!!) - they just reach down to the core of your being.
The tuning was wonderful - the playing so effortless - the taste was impeccable.
Tuba - Walter Hilgers (oh! - what a player!!)
Horns - Klaus Wallendorf, Wolfgang Gaag
Trombones - Uwe Fussel, Alexanger Erbrich Crawford, Enrique Crespo
Trumpets - Joroen Berwaerts, Christoph Baerwind, Werner Heckmann, Uwe Koller
Matthias Hofs isn't on the tour. I was hoping to hear him play. However, the trumpet and piccolo playing was phenomenal. The piccolos were played as though there is no limit on range - it seemed effortless - and perfectly in tune. There wasn't a weak (or weaker) player on the stage - all of them were true artists.
Their encore will knock you over - it was amazing - the instrumentation left me speechless.
Johntpt - they didn't do the "Comedians Dance".
The first half they did:
Handel: "Ouverture" from "Royal Fireworks Music"
Crespo: "Concerto alla Pergolesi"
Bach: Choralvorspiel "Ich ruf zu Dir Herr Jesus Christ"
Strauss: Tritsch-Tratsch Polka
Verdi: "Triumphal March" from "Aida"
After intermission they did selections from Around the World - Jazz, Big-band, Dixieland combo, Film music and Folklore. There were so many TASTEFUL arrangements! I loved the first half, but the second was even better!
If you are anywhere within driving distance of any of their concerts, I highly recommend you do everything you can to get to the concert. Check their website and call the number (763-559-8019) for contact information.
Trust me, you DON'T want to miss this concert. Heck, if you don't believe me, believe what the other people have said about them. You may never get this chance again.
Also, you might want to bring some cash/check - they've got six different CDs - they're $15 each - off the Canadian Brass website you'll pay $18 plus postage. Since they were different ones than the ones I already have, I bought all six.
I might even decide to try Alexandria on Thursday night - it's only 100 miles the other way. I could be back by midnight - that'd give me at least 5 hours of sleep.
Just in case I wasn't clear, I really very much enjoyed the concert.
One final note - DON'T MISS IT!! |