Empire Brass - Baroque Music for Brass and Organ (2003)

06 Jun, 16:27
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Artist: William Kuhlman, Empire Brass, The Empire Brass Quintet
Title: Baroque Music for Brass and Organ
Year Of Release: 2003
Label: Telarc
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Total Time: 53:56
Total Size: 258 MB
WebSite: Album Preview

Tracklist:

1. Abdelazer, Z. 570: II. Rondeau (Arr. R. Smedvig) (02:15)
2. Fantaisie in C Major, BWV 570 (Arr. R. Smedvig) (02:41)
3. Concerto in G Major (After Trio Sonata in B-Flat Major, TWV 42:B1): I. Allegro [Arr. R. Smedvig] (02:22)
4. Concerto in G Major (After Trio Sonata in B-Flat Major, TWV 42:B1): II. Sicilienne [Arr. R. Smedvig] (02:19)
5. Concerto in G Major (After Trio Sonata in B-Flat Major, TWV 42:B1): III. Allegro [Arr. R. Smedvig] (02:09)
6. Sonata da camera (After Violin Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 No. 12, HWV 370) : I. Adagio [Arr. R. Smedvig] (02:42)
7. Sonata da camera (After Violin Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 No. 12, HWV 370): II. Allegro [Arr. R. Smedvig] (01:59)
8. Sonata da camera (After Violin Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 No. 12, HWV 370): III. Largo [Arr. R. Smedvig] (03:11)
9. Sonata da Camera (After Violin Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 No. 12, HWV 370): IV. Allegro [Arr. R. Smedvig] (01:39)
10. Idoménée: Rigaudo (Arr. R. Smedvig) (02:41)
11. The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus I (Arr. R. Smedvig) (04:20)
12. Oboe Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 301: II. Allegro (Arr. R. Smedvig) (01:42)
13. Fantasia in D Minor, P. 124 (Arr. E. Smedvig) (02:32)
14. King Arthur, Z. 628: Overture - Allegro (Arr. R. Smedvig) (02:52)
15. The Married Beau, Z. 603: March (Arr. R. Smedvig) (01:34)
16. Fantaisie (Allegro) [Arr. R. Smedvig] (03:57)
17. Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary) [Arr. R. Smedvig] (02:55)
18. The Island Princess: Trumpet Tune (Arr. R. Smedvig) (01:19)
19. Te eum in D Major, H. 146: Prelude (Arr. R. Smedvig) (02:29)
20. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, BWV 80: I. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Arr. R. Smedvig) (06:09)

There are many brass quintet recordings, to be sure, and many of those focus on Baroque music and include an organ. But the Empire Brass Quintet and organist William Kuhlman should be able to shrug off any market glut with this splendidly executed collection of Baroque favorites. Though these performances don't stand out sharply from other similar discs, they're smooth and expressive and can hold their own with the productions of better-known ensembles. The arrangements are all done by trumpeter and group leader Rolf Smedvig, lending a consistency to the album that will endear it to casual listeners in search of some ideal classical party music. Audiophiles, too, have reason to seek out the disc, either in its regular version or in a special SACD release (not reviewed) that will no doubt shake your house down to the foundations. The brass-and-organ genre has always been a favorite of the thousand-dollar-speaker crowd, and this release additionally gives Telarc's crack engineering team ample opportunity to show off its chops. The liner notes don't indicate how the recording came to be made at Decorah, Iowa's Luther College, but whoever selected that resonant location is due some special praise. A thoroughly enjoyable release for newcomers to classical music, brass enthusiasts, and audiophiles alike.

Review by James Manheim

Empire Brass - Baroque Music for Brass and Organ.rar - 258.9 MB