Reviews

American Brass Quintet

American Brass Quintet performs perfectly

by James Pegolotti

With trumpet flourishes from the 17th century, the American Brass Quintet led the Newtown Friends of Music into its 25th year on Sunday afternoon. For two hours the Quintet proved the correctness of the words of Friends president Ellen Parrella: that for a quarter century they have brought to audiences "exquisite music, flawlessly performed."
The playing of the Quintet members proved to be flawless indeed - brisk attacks and even more jolting split-second endings - all made even more remarkable by the fact that they had performed a similar program the previous evening in Blacksburg, Virginia. (New York Yankees, take note.)
This program, whose music spanned centuries, including a stop at the Civil War, began with three pieces from "Ludi Musici," ensemble music by the 17th century baroque composer Samuel Scheidt. Featured was the brilliant trumpet playing of Raymond Mase and Kevin Cobb, with one trumpet often echoing the other. Especially memorable in the playing of hornist David Wakefield were breathtaking diminuendos.
Trombonist Michael Powell and John D. Rojak evidenced their unusual skills in a canon from the 16th century, where each played the same tune, but just one beat apart.
The tuxedoed instrumentalists entered the 21st century musically with a two-year old composition entitled "Brass Quintet." It was commissioned by them from the 1999 Pulitzer Prize winning composer Melinda Wagner. This three-movement work by the New Jersey resident proved fascinating. The initial "Maestoso" challenged the players in split second timing as snippets of melody were tossed to and fro.
Then in the mystically labeled "Ethereal, disembodied," the composer gave to each instrument the role of a musical lens where sound was focused through varying pitches and harmonics. The final portion, playfully named "Alternately Stately and Lilting, At First," proved to be just that, or, in the words of the composer, "unabashed and proud."
The second half of the program began with band music, in this case works performed 145 years ago by the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band. The Regimental band members came ready-made to the needs of the Confederacy. They were Moravian musicians from Salem, N.C., who, as the Salem Band, were conscripted directly into the war and renamed a regimental band.
Four short works, from a newly edited version of the Band's music by Nola Redd Knouse, helped understand that the mission of this Civil War group was "To lift the spirits of the troops." A brisk medley of "Dixie and Bonnie Blue Flag," set the scene, followed by a polka, then the sentimental "Rock me to Sleep, Mother," and finally the jaunty and amusing "Here's Your Mule," where the music depicted the unthinkable - a galloping mule. The large audience loved it.
To conclude the concert, the Quintet performed another of its commissioned works: "Colchester Fantasy," by Eric Ewazen. Here were presented musical portraits of colorful old pubs in Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain. Of the four segments, the one entitled "The Dragoon" was notable for the sounds of the inevitable battles of centuries past, made evident in the "dissonant, clashing harmonies."
As great as the concert was, what occurred the following day may have been even greater for members of the Newtown High School Band. As part of the Friends' first Outreach Program of the season, the Quintet worked with the band members to enhance their knowledge of brass instruments. Who wouldn't want to be taught by five extraordinary brass players who collectively have 90 years of performing experience?
In their spirit of providing music and education, like the famous flag, long may the Friends of Music wave!