Another CD from one
of the superb brass ensembles which
seem to abound in the USA. Perhaps
this one isn’t quite so spectacular
as the one I reviewed
a little while back from the Center
City Quintet, but that’s largely because
of the more thoughtful nature of the
music, particularly the middle two
works. However nobody could quibble
with the standard of the playing;
the Wisconsin Brass Quintet is a group
of the highest quality, impeccable
in ensemble, intonation and technical
accomplishment.
The programme is
especially interesting in that it
contains music by two current members
of the group - and excellent pieces
they are too. Douglas Hill is the
horn player, and he has provided Tribal
Images and Timepieces. The first is
an atmospheric and impressionistic
work, apparently drawing its inspiration
from the music of "the Helushka
(warrior) Society ceremony of the
Omaha Indians of Northeastern Nebraska",
as the composer’s note tells us. Perhaps
the snarling trombone glissandi do
become a little tiresome after a while;
yet they and other elements contribute
powerfully to the ritualistic impact
of the piece. The ending, with a dignified
folk-like melody played in simple
harmonies against gently throbbing
drums, is memorable.
Stevens’ piece is
dedicated to the memory of his father,
and is a setting for baritone and
brass quintet of some rather lovely
poems by his friend Ann Arnston, which
present images, typical of the region,
from bygone days. It’s not easy to
combine a solo voice with an ensemble
of this kind, but Stephens understands
the medium so well that there is never
a danger of the brass overpowering
the voice – and of course a well-balanced
recording helps greatly. The music
is very restrained, and almost unremittingly
slow and leisurely in tempo. Yet Stephens
responds unaffectedly to the words,
and creates consistently beautiful
and imaginative textures which maintain
the interest.
These two works are
flanked by extrovert works more typical
of the brass quintet we know and love.
Crespo’s Suite Americana no.1 is a
little masterpiece, exploring dance
rhythms from ragtime to Mexican huapango,
all carried off with idiomatic virtuosity.
Hill’s Timepieces, which complete
the compilation, show that, despite
being a horn player, he is capable
of letting his hair down too. They
begin with the bluesy Good Times,
where the fragmented texture and sprung
rhythms bring out the best in the
quintet’s ensemble skills. Here and
in other places, Hill enjoyably introduces
‘extraneous’ sounds, such as the ‘one-two-one-two’
call before the up-tempo coda of Good
Times, or the rhythmical clapping
in ‘Party Time!’. This last number
makes an irresistible conclusion,
yet before that we have the gently
wistful Upon a Time, the furtive music
of Another Time, and wonderfully supple
phrasing in the affecting Simpler
Times. This work, full of melody and
harmonic richness, deserves to become
a staple of brass quintets everywhere
– it’s that good.
All in all, an ideal
disc to celebrate the beauties of
brass ensemble music and the remarkable
talents of these fine musicians.
Gwyn Parry-Jones
Wisconsin Brass Quintet (John Aley and Alan Campbell,
trumpets; Douglas Hill, horn; James Campbell and
William Richardson, trombones; John Stevens, tuba
and euphonium) with Paul Rowe (bass-baritone),
Anthony DiSanza, Jason Richins and Christopher
Fashun (percussion). 
