City Brass Stuttgart – DANIEL SCHNYDER: CUBAC – Bach in Cuba; J. STRAUSS: Johann Strauss Operetta Medley; GOUNOD: A Cross Section of the opera Faust; VON SUPPE: Light Cavalry Overture; LOEWE: Suite from My Fair Lady – Coviello Classics

by | Aug 11, 2009 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

City Brass Stuttgart – DANIEL SCHNYDER: CUBAC – Bach in Cuba; J. STRAUSS: Johann Strauss Operetta Medley; GOUNOD: A Cross Section of the opera Faust; VON SUPPE: Light Cavalry Overture; LOEWE: Suite from My Fair Lady –  Coviello Classics multichannel SACD COV 50902, 57:30 [Distr. by Qualiton] ****:

First, this is not your usual brass quintet group; there are around 14 brass players, for a sound almost like a village brass band but  much more precise and unified.  The program is also different from that on most brass quintet programs. The opening work is the only original one on the program – the others all being arrangements by Andreas Tarkmann. Daniel Schnyder is Swiss and lives in the U.S. He wanted to do a lively and energetic piece for the brass group and thought of running a “middle course between chromatic counterpoint and montuno.”  The Gounod and Loewe medleys are about what you would expect – six or seven of the “hit tunes” strung together expertly.  The Light Cavalry Overture is such a chestnut, but I found it very enjoyable in this bare-bones arrangement; somehow it seemed more appropriate than with the full orchestra or concert band.

The sonics are very clean and the brass ensemble is spread out horseshoe fashion in front of you for thrilling effect.

 — John Sunier

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