Uploaded December 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For me, music for brass ensemble provides a unique listening experience. There is something forceful yet pure in the sound that comes from this particular gathering of instruments. Although we can find numerous arrangements for brass musicians, the existence of works composed specifically for brass quintet or quartet are far too few. This is even more apparent when considering such works by American composers. Thankfully, we have a selection available to us, pieces like American Hymn by William Schuman (which you can find on the Mosaic Classics channel) and Joan Tower's Fifth fanfare for the Uncommon Woman.
On the same recording with the above-mentioned works, we have Brass Quintet No. 1 by Melinda Wagner. This piece may offer a challenge to the listener at first, but the quintet works well in its exhibition of tense energy in the first and third movements and its contrasting restraint in the second. In addition to Wagner's numerous compositions and teaching appointments, she was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1999.
Performed by American Brass Quintet
If you like Andrew Fritz's photography, samples of which I've included here, check out more on his website: fritztech.com
To purchase the entire recording, go here: amazon.com/American-Visions-The-Brass-Quintet/dp/B000QQVXCW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387007267&sr=8-3&keywords=American+visions+American+brass
For me, music for brass ensemble provides a unique listening experience. There is something forceful yet pure in the sound that comes from this particular gathering of instruments. Although we can find numerous arrangements for brass musicians, the existence of works composed specifically for brass quintet or quartet are far too few. This is even more apparent when considering such works by American composers. Thankfully, we have a selection available to us, pieces like American Hymn by William Schuman (which you can find on the Mosaic Classics channel) and Joan Tower's Fifth fanfare for the Uncommon Woman.
On the same recording with the above-mentioned works, we have Brass Quintet No. 1 by Melinda Wagner. This piece may offer a challenge to the listener at first, but the quintet works well in its exhibition of tense energy in the first and third movements and its contrasting restraint in the second. In addition to Wagner's numerous compositions and teaching appointments, she was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1999.
Performed by American Brass Quintet
If you like Andrew Fritz's photography, samples of which I've included here, check out more on his website: fritztech.com
To purchase the entire recording, go here: amazon.com/American-Visions-The-Brass-Quintet/dp/B000QQVXCW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387007267&sr=8-3&keywords=American+visions+American+brass
