Search - Percy Fletcher, Edward Elgar, Edmund Rubbra :: Epic Brass: British Music For Brass Band

Best Brass Band Blows Heavy Stuff!

Clark Houck Jr. | Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA | 03/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a recording for the novice brass band listener. Though the performance of the great Black Dyke band is, as always, virtually flawless, this music is definitely not "easy listening." All of the pieces on the CD are first section test pieces, composed especially for the Brass Band National Championships of Great Britain. The best of the best composers (Percy Fletcher, Edward Elgar, and others) are represented. These pieces are written to challange the finest brass bands, and Black Dyke demonstrates why they are often on the top of everyone's list of "all time greats." The music represented can and will be enjoyed at some level by every listener, novice or not. For full enjoyment, arm yourself with some liquid refreshment, a full score, and some space where you can crank up the volume a little bit. Marvel, then, at how Black Dyke can achieve such beautiful phrasing and dynamic contrast while playing all those notes!"