National Brass Ensemble

[rodmathews]

If you live in Northern California you really should be at this concert Thursday night at 7:30:
http://gmc.sonoma.edu/event/2170779-nat ... in-concert" target="_blank" target="_blank

This is one of the absolute best groups of brass players ever assembled. The following picture was posted to Mike Roylance's Facebook feed earlier today - I don't think Mike will mind me reposting it here:

tubas.jpg

If that doesn't get you pumped up, I don't know what will. If you happen to be in need of a ticket and want a really good seat, send me a private message. I have a few extras that may still be available.

[burningchrome]

Since I'm from Boston, I know who Mike Roylance is, but who's on the right?

This is a great York-copy comparison pic.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

What is tuba #1 &
What is tuba #3?

[burningchrome]

On the left is a Nirschl body with a Kanstul "York alloy" bell.

[MikeMason]

Killer line up all around!

[TubaDave15]

Sugiyama's tuba is indeed a Hirsbrunner.

[tbn.al]

Nowhere else in the world could you hear all these guys at once. Wow!

[TubaZac2012]

Any live stream possibilities?

[UDELBR]

Interesting to see the original York next to knock-offs.

[Ace]

Rod, I'm sending you an e-mail. Hope you have a ticket to sell to me. If so, I'll settle up at the box office "will call" window. This should be an outstanding concert.

Ace

[rodmathews]

The group is also making a recording, which will be commercially available. Can't wait to hear it.

If you haven't heard the latest recording from the Metropolitan Opera Brass, check it out. It's an amazing recording of Gabrieli in the Cathedral of St. John the Devine in NYC.

[Trevor Bjorklund]

Incredible concert. A few notes (and if it ever happens again, get there!):
1) There is no effective way to describe the sound these players made together. They are the best in the business. A perfectly tuned organ couldn't come close to the physical sensation that accompanied their big chords, their pianissimo playing was crystal clear. I found myself astounded by the sensitivity of a trumpet player. And then another, and then another. Their intonation, especially when shifting between extreme dynamics, was perfect, and left goosebumps on my arms.
2) I was in the front row and had my foot touching the stage. When those three tubas kicked in, they literally shook the stage.
3) If you had asked me "Hey... wanna go listen to nothing but Gabrielli all night with a John Williams crowd pleaser-type piece thrown in?" I would have said "No." After that experience last night, however, I would say "Yes."
4) The audience was, itself, an unbelievable ensemble waiting to happen. Everyone was there, from the entire brass section of the Bohemian Club band to just about every pro and decent amateur player I know in the greater Bay Area and Sacramento, and a few more who came out from farther afield. I was joking with a friend that they should have invited the audience to bring our axes and jammed out like Fanfare for the Common Man or something. All we would need would be a conductor. Then I saw Mallory Thompson sitting a few rows back - she flew out just for the show. So we would have had a conductor.
5) Speaking of conductors, each piece was directed by any one of a few players who weren't playing in that piece. Most of them just kept time and (perhaps) cued, and let these masters of brass do their thing.

Oh yeah, and their encore was Canzona 2, which was ridiculous.

Truly a spectacular concert.

[tbn.al]

I was certain it would be that kind of a performance. Sorry I couldn't get there, so the recording will have to do.

[Ace]

I drove the 46 miles from Berkeley to Rohnert Park to hear this concert. Traffic jams along the way caused me to worry about arriving on time. It was the best concert I've heard since the Los Angeles Horn Club's Hollywood concert in 1950. Trevor's review above is accurate. The players were astonishingly virtuosic. Ensemble work took my breath away-----intonation, dynamics, attacks/releases, etc., were of the highest quality I've ever heard. From my balcony seat I could see that the large hall was filled with many brass players from the greater Bay area. Near the front row was noted Bay area tubist, Tony Clements and his wife. They seemed mesmerized, very attentive, and respectful of the superb playing. Aside from the great technical command-of- instruments that these players demonstrated was their feeling-level------they maximized the music's inherent reverence and spirituality which swept over many in the audience. If this ensemble returns next year, I will most certainly be at their concert.

Ace

[Bill Troiano]

Too bad they can't go on a tour. I would've loved to hear this. Looking forward to the recording.

[ralphbsz]

Anyone seen the recording of the summer 2014 work yet? I just checked Amazon, and it wasn't there yet. Nor any mention on the Facebook page.

[happyroman]

Anyone seen the recording of the summer 2014 work yet? I just checked Amazon, and it wasn't there yet. Nor any mention on the Facebook page.

My understanding is that they plan to release it in September.