Search - Dallas Wind Symphony, Chicago Chamber Brass, Howard Dunn :: Brass & The Band

Worthwhile

John Hietala | Venice, FL | 03/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very nice CD bringing rarely recorded music to the public. However the critique of the Arutiunian concert which appears below is correct. This performance doesn't move the listener. The recording to listen to is for sale on this site and is called "Trumpet Rhapsody", with Timofei Dokschitzer. Now that's a great performance!"

Opportunity missed

J S Bark | 03/30/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Jacob's "Music for a Festival" is rarely performed in its entirety, sadly it is not on this CD.

The use of a tuba in lieu of a bass trombone in the brass choruses does not work well timbre wise, particularly in the Finale. The "band" movements are marred by excessive cuts in the music especially the Overture, almost a third of this movement is cut out, likewise the minuet & trio. Given that the the brass choruses are complete distorts this work further.

The playing is precise and some quality sounds are made, the air is an excellent example,however due to the truncations an opportunity for a first class recording of the work was missed on this occasion.

The CD suffers from an excess of tracks that should have been left out instead of being crammed in at the detriment of other pieces."

GREAT CD!

Noah Lambert | Chicago, IL USA | 11/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The previous review may have been correct in its judgements of the Arutunian, but Music for a Festival, is AMAZING! It makes up for anything, of course The Bride of the Waves another good selection!"