The Magic of Brass
24-Feb-2004
Philippe Schartz, Trumpet
Buy as You View Cory Band
Dr Robert Childs
DOY CD159
Total Playing Time: 66.49
Whether you are a fan of the trumpet, or solo playing in particular, it does not matter - this is an enjoyable but frustrating disc.
The quality of playing from Philippe Schartz and BAYV Cory Band is first class, but frustration creeps in because it is a bit like nouvelle cuisine, or bite size chocolates: one minute, it is in front of you, the next it is gone. The disc in the words of Mr Schartz is ‘a compilation of some of the important genres that I find magical in brass playing'. That said, nineteen tracks in just over sixty six minutes is an awful lot to cram in, and what the disc really lacks is a substantial work to beef it up as the majority of the repertoire on offer has been performed by bandings' top cornet players.
Classics such as "Queen of the Night Aria", "Maids of Cadiz", "Charivari" and "Carnival of Venice" are all performed with consummate ease. In addition you can add Chopin's "Minute Waltz", and the brief "Adagio" from the Magic Flute overture by Mozart whilst Philip Sparke's "Song and Dance" is breathtaking. The opening ‘Scottish Snap' rhythm is pulled off effectively and it is then followed by an enjoyably lively (and lyrical) cadenza. The Dance part of the solo certainly portrays Scottish style dancing with a demonstration of quality tonal playing.
The crème de la crème for this reviewer though is "Rusalka's Song to the Moon" that was one of the solos that made the sound of Philip McCann so identifiable. Taken from Dvorak's opera, "Rusulka", it was originally a soprano aria. This recording features some lovely, controlled, melodic playing, which is bang on the button.
The beautiful sound of Mr Schartz's playing is also featured in Claude Debussy's "Syrinx", originally for flute, but again nicely performed on the trumpet. Of particular interest will be the World Premiere of "Will of the Wisp". Welshman, Mervyn Burtch dedicated the piece to Philippe. Again good technique and control is demonstrated, but is definitely a bite-sized chocolate in terms of length. Lasting just short of two minutes, the playing has you wanting to hear more, which alas is not the case.
The flugel horn is featured in three solos, two familiar ones, and bands might want to look in band libraries when they hear a classic arranged by Edrich Siebert. The two familiar pieces are the lovely "Ave Maria" and "Send in the Clowns". Both are eloquently performed, and the French song, "La Vie en Rose" composed by Louiguy, arranged by Mr Siebert is a little gem. Trumpet player, Kenny Baker is featured with his composition, "Virtuosity", and with playing of this standard, Harry James' "Trumpet Concerto" could not be left out. The rest of the trumpet section from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales joins Philippe Schartz in Leroy Anderson's "Bugler's Holiday" – plenty of fun had here.
Cory feature themselves in Goff Richard's "Breezin' Down Broadway". The quality of the playing all around is high, but as was said at the beginning, it would have been nice to hear the odd substantial work, as a good foil to the various solos. Fine stuff though.
Malcolm Wood
Copyright 4BR
What's on this CD?
1) Adagio from The Magic Flute Overture W A Mozart 1.21
2) Queen of the Night Aria W A Mozart arr John Golland 2.48
3) Ave Maria* G Caccini arr D Fretwell 2.56
4) Minute Waltz F Chopin arr H Snell 2.02
5) Maids of Cadiz L Delibes arr G Langford 3.42
6) Rusalka’s Song to the Moon A Dvorak arr G Langford 5.02
7) Syrinx C Debussy 2.24
8) Song and Dance P Sparke 5.23
9) Will of the Wisp (World Premiere) M Burtch 1.56
10) Chablis from Homage to the Noble Grape G Richards 3.23
11) Breezin’ Down Broadway Arr G Richards 4.23
12) Carnival of Venice D Staigers arr F Muscroft 4.11
13) Send in the Clowns* S Sondheim arr A Fernie 3.01
14) La Vie en Rose* Louiguy arr E Siebert 2.52
15) Virtuosity K Baker arr Peberdy 4.28
16) Paris le Soir W Hogarth Lear 3.12
17) Trumpet Concerto H James arr E Howarth 3.26
18) Bugler’s Holiday** L Anderson arr R Barsotti 2.12
19) Charivari arr J Iveson 6.37
Total CD Playing Time: 66.49
