FINE ARTS BRASS ENSEMBLE
Georg Frederick HANDEL (1685 - 1759)
.Arrival of the Queen of Sheba*
[3.06]
Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741)
.Concerto in C Major for Two trumpets & Strings* [7.47]
Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, Cello and Strings. (Op
3 No 11)* [9.26]
Tomaso ALBINONI (1671 - 1751) arr Giazotto (b
1910).Adagio* [8.43]
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 -
1750).Badinerie(from Suite in B Minor)* [1.16]
Wachet Auf (from Cantata No 140)* [5.10] Wir eilen mit
schwachen (fron Cantata No. 78)* [4.04]
Concerto in A minor
for Violin & Strings. ** [10.43] Air on the G String
(from Suite No 3) *** [3.32] Brandenburg Concerto No 2.
* [11.04]
Fine Arts Brass Ensemble
Simon Lenton, Angela Whelan (trumpets)
Stephen Roberts (horn); Simon Hogg (trombone); Richard Sandland (tuba).
Arrangements by * Stephen Roberts ; **Michael Torreiles & Michel
Barré,
*** Simon Hogg
Recorded 15/16 January and 2/3 February 1999.
St. Bartholomew's Church, Wednesbury.
NIMBUS NI 5651 DDD
[64.56]
Crotchet
This month's reviews have two discs that cover similar territory - music
from the Baroque period - with contemporary arrangements for Brass ensembles.
Other than the overlapping of material that takes place comparisons between
the two would be unfair to both parties with a sixteen instrument ensemble
from Bolder, Colorado on Dorian (DOR 93204) and this Nimbus CD with the Fine
Arts Brass Ensemble with its traditional brass quintet grouping of two trumpets,
horn, trombone and tuba.
The selection is clearly aimed at a popular market with generally familiar
pieces throughout. With the exception of the Bach A Minor Concerto,
the arrangements used are written by group members Simon Hogg (Air on
a G String ) and Stephen Roberts (everything else).
After a brisk regal arrival from Sheba, there are two arrangements of Vivaldi
concerti. The C Major, written for two trumpets and strings, and the D Minor
- an all string piece - are fine adaptations that never lose the savour of
the original string writing in the new format. Close integration and warm,
pleasing tones - easy to listen to and enjoy.
It wouldn't be a baroque selection without Albinoni's Adagio - or
at least the reconstructed piece which bears his name - here arranged as
a feature for the high pitched piccolo trumpet which replaces the baroque
clarino trumpet with its distinctive sweetness but without the difficulties
of the earlier model. The piccolo trumpet appears again (in duet form) in
a sprightly Finale to the B Minor Suite - the Badinerie
- that leads into an all Bach second half of the disc. More familiar music
with Sleepers Awake, a version of the A Minor Concerto with
an introspective Andante, and a spirited closing Allegro
Assai, Air on a G String and the Second Brandenburg with a fearsomely
high trumpet part.
Good crisp playing, with excellent balance and a clear recording. Recommended.
Harry Downey
