New CD review (Majestic Journey - Adam Frey)

[BVD Press]

Dear All,

I listen to a lot of CD's while I sit around and engrave music all day long. In 2008, there is one new solo CD that has really stood out.

Majestic Journey (Original Works for Euphonium and Orchestra) - Adam Frey and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (Naxos):

This CD is a wonderful collection of pieces that were not too familiar to my ears. The title of the CD, Majestic Journey, is also the first piece on the disc and was composed by Kevin Klaska. This is quite an exciting piece and will remind listeners of many Hollywood scores of the past and present.

The next piece is a beautiful piece composed by John Golland called "Peace". Like the title suggests, this is a peaceful piece. It is not very often we hear Euphonium and Strings together in a lyrical way, but it is a wonderful combination and this piece uses both instruments to their fullest.

Next up is the Vladimir Cosma "Concerto" which many low brass players have become quite familiar with in recent years. This is the meat of the CD and Adam's interpretation is excellent. From negotiating the Spanish flavor throughout piece to the long extended lines in mvt. 2 and the technical passages in the Finale Adam is flawless. I don't play Euphonium, but the range of the piece is tremendous and Adam somehow keeps the same tone from "basement" register up to the "stratosphere".

In complete contrast to the first Kevin Klaska piece on the CD, we next hear "Ballade". This is another beautiful piece similar to the Golland and really shows off the lyrical nature of the Euphonium.

Peter Graham's "Brilliante" is up next. If you like Theme and Variations, this is the piece for you. The theme is "Rule Britannia" and Adam plays with grace and technical prowess throughout. It is truly a fun chart to listen to and I am sure it is just as much fun to play.

The CD comes to a close with "Pantomime" by Philip Sparke. Opening with a long cadenza-like section, this piece soon moves into a rollicking finale section which we all will recognioze as music of "Sparke". This is quite a nice way to end the CD because the last minute of the CD is higher, faster, and louder which is something all of us brass players would like to achieve every now and then. If there was a ever a piece that would bring an audience to its feet at the end, this one is it!

Throughout the entire CD, the one thing that I found the most intriguing was the care that Adam took with every note. Everything meant something. There were no throw away notes, phrases, etc. Not only is Adam's playing excellent throughout, but the orchestra behind him is outstanding as well. For the brass ensemble fans out there, track 1 is a great listen. The sound that the brass section creates behind Adam is top notch.

If you are looking for something new, I would highly recommend this CD along with Adam's other CD's available here:

http://www.euphonium.com/

Adam is also running a special for the new CD and his last two releases for $35.00. This can be found here:

http://www.euphonium.com/store/index.ph ... oductId=69

Wishing everyone well,

[BVD Press]

Bump for Adam