Russian Brass Music

Fünf Blechbläser bearbeiten russische Kompositionen u.a. von Rachmaninoff und Tschaikowsky, stellen Originalwerke hinzu und präsentieren alles prägnant, mit wunderbarem Klang und einem Lächeln auf den Lippen.

First of all, this brass quintet sounds excellent, showing rounded tone qualities, fine intonation and blend, and good dynamic variety. Listening to them is a pleasure. Second, this is an unusual program, since most collections of Russian brass music tend to major in the works of Victor Ewald (1860-1935). Several of the pieces are original brass quintets, while the rest are arrangements of piano literature.

The most substantial of the original brass works is a suite by Aleksandr Poteenko (b 1960) that shows numerous stylistic influences. I is a virtuoso study, especially for trumpeters Falk Zimmermann and Klaus Wingensiefen, while II is a waltz that gives a lyrical melody to trombonist Thomas Steger. Tuba player Guido Gorny dances nimbly in a whimsical III, and horn player Frank Lefers ruminates in IV. The trumpets grab the spotlight again in V.

Viktor Grischen's little Rondo (1986) sounds like a study from Bartok's Mikrokosmos and seems to be a "musical caricature of village life in provincial Russia". A Brass Quintet by Anton Simon (1850-1916) has three movements based on folk-like melodies, while the one by Alexander Alabiev (1787-1851) sounds like a model for the not-very-sophisticated but tuneful and virtuoso brass music of Wilhelm Rams(0248)e and Victor Ewald.

The best music of the program is the piano arrangements, including the always impressive Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor and three evocative selections from Sergei Bortkiewicz's Russian Tunes and Dances. From Tchaikovsky's Seasons we have the sprightly 'February', lyrical 'April', and gliding 'December'. A set of harmonious pieces by Alexander Scriabin brings the collection to a close.