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Showing posts from February, 2026

Listening Presentation #1 - A Journey Through my Brass Ensemble Influences

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 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wEj6zmxbWBGY5oQsHZnFm?si=32a7527b3aee4a5b  da Blechhauf'n da Blechhauf'n or The Brass Heap in English, is an Austrian brass ensemble consisting of seven members that started as a non-profit ensemble, which turned into a profession for each of the members. The crew plays a mix of traditional music along with more modern renditions, mixing vocals and brass together.  Reinhold Bieber (trombone, bass trumpet), Philipp Fellner (trombone), Christoph Geza Haider-Kroiss (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bernhard Holl (trombone, styrian harmonica), Alexander Krenn (trumpet,  flugelhorn), Albert Wieder (helicon tuba), Christian Wieder (trumpet, flugelhorn) Gabriela's Song - 2009 Mei Auto S auft So Va Wia i - 2012 Broken Brass Ensemble The Broken Brass Ensemble is a new-orleans style brass band that is based out of the Netherlands and does extensive touring throughout Europe. As there is a similar theme today, they mix vocals with brass playing. Joël Bo...

Standards of the Rep: Laying the Groundwork for Modern Brass Ensembles

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 Alexander Alyabiev     Published in 1847, Alyabiev wrote what is considered one of the first works composed for the brass quintet, predating even the likes of Ewald. This piece is composed with two main ideas, a meloncholy opening and closing, with a more energetic aleggro middle section, that is almost playful. It perfectly highlights the different colors capable of the ensemble and lays a strong groundwork for many pieces of standard repertoire to come later. Viktor Grishin       Grishin's Rondo for Brass Quintet is his only composition for the Brass Quintet. His background as a percussionist shines through in the character of this piece. This piece is full of rhythmic ostinatos with sharp interjections, often with varying rhythmic complexity. Many of the instruments are used percusively in nature with short strike utilzing the many timbres available on each instrument. The piece calls for many layers to be woven together carefully with great care from t...