Nick Tipsword

5/2/20

Midnight Brass

American Brass Quintet

Snapshot

● To me the articulation in this album seems a bit more forward than in some of the other

brass quintet recordings we’ve been listening to.

● Because this album has so much early music (baroque/renaissance) there is very little

vibrato being used generally

● A lot of this music utilizes tons of counterpoint and is organized with the two trumpets

playing as one unit and the lower three voices as another unit but often has everyone

playing different lines at the same time.

● Their intonation is phenomenal

Like I mentioned above this album uses a lot of early music but pairs that with several modern

pieces showing the range the quintet has. I think it would be an interesting program for music

historians or students learning about music history.

Jewels

● Very little vibrato on this album as well. But when it is used it is very clearly planned out

by the 1st trumpet and the second trumpet/trombone often matches fluctuations

● The variety of articulation on this album is very impressive. It’s incredible how round

and light they can tongue as a quintet.

 ● The intonation isn’t as stellar on this album but I think that might have something to do

with the style of music they are playing. A lot of these dissonant intervals are very hard

to tune.

● I’m not sure if I’ve never been paying enough attention to notice this in any other

ensemble but in some of these pieces the tuba player is actually playing with edge. I’ve

never heard of that before and it adds a real intensity to the sound.

This repertoire is pretty tricky but is still approachable to the average listener. I think this

program would go over very well with an audience that had very little background with quintet

or wind playing. It’s very flashy while also being interesting to listen to.

The American Brass Quintet was founded in 1960 by graduates of the Juilliard School. Ten

years after their founding they received a residency with the Aspen Music Festival and several

years later began a residency with the Juilliard School. Today the American Brass Quintet is

internationally recognized as one of the leading chamber ensembles of our time.