CD REVIEW
FESTMUSIK
: A LEGACY
Onyx Brass | John Wilson
Chandos CHSA 5284
(6725)
'
If you are a brass
enthusiast, you will enjoy this
latest release from a brilliant
ensemble; if you are interested
in chamber music
admittedly less likely it
will appeal to you; and if you
are both of the above and also
among the many admirers of John
Wilson, who conducts on the three
longest tracks
(3248), then
acquiring this is a no-brainer.
Onyx Brass
comprises two trumpets, a French
horn, trombone and tuba. They are
joined for the above Richard
Strauss works by 16 to 20 other
leading brass performers, among
them members of the elite Septura
septet and David Pyatt, who back
in 1988, aged 14, became the then
youngest winner of the BBC Young
Musician of the Year competition.
He has subsequently been
principal horn of the LSO, joint
principal of the LPO and
currently joint principal of the
Orchestra of the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden.
The other 16
tracks are from the pens of
Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms,
Felix Mendelssohn, Anton
Grigor'yevich Rubenstein and
Robert Franz. All are premiere
recordings apart from the opening
number, Strauss's Festmusik
der Stadt Wien (Festive Music for
the City of Vienna) for
Brass and Timpani. It is also the
only original work; the others
being arranged by members of the
group.
It is fascinating
to read in the booklet's
extensive and interesting notes
how the recording
excellently made in London as
recently as October 2020
was inspired by a family's hidden
collection of letters.
Onyx Brass are
renowned for the richness and
warmth of their sound, and there
are some good tunes here, so I
encourage you to give this
entertaining album an online
sampling. When you decide to buy,
do so through the label's
website to get the best
price.
© Peter
Burt 2021
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