Famed Baroque quintet Canadian Brass performs Jan. 30
Veteran quintet Canadian Brass will fill Wentz Concert Hall with bright sounds when the world’s foremost touring brass ensemble performs Jan. 30 at North Central College.
Since its founding in 1970 in Toronto, Canadian Brass has recorded more than 80 albums and sold out venues around the world. The musicians have a special affinity for Baroque music and have recorded works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven, Wagner and especially Bach.
Canadian Brass
The Washington Post says, “These are the men who put brass music on the map. With their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor, they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world.”
Canadian Brass made its American debut at Washington’s Kennedy Center in 1975, and in 1977 was the first group of western musicians allowed to perform in China after the Cultural Revolution. In 1979 Canadian Brass become the first chamber ensemble to solo the main stage at Carnegie Hall.
Thanks to its pioneer status, the quintet developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass masters the gamut of concert presentations—from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence.
The “fabulous five” spend most of their time on tour and have performed with many major symphony orchestras in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. They have gained a large international following of their solo performances that offer a large variety of musical styles.
Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass on such shows as “The Tonight Show,” “Today” and “Entertainment Tonight.” They have appeared as guest artists on “Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops,” “Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World” and numerous PBS specials.
Members of the Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, they often pause for master classes. The famous five are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, Calif. Additionally, they have created an innovative brass summer course at the famous Eastman School of Music. They have been invited by the Canadian government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions.
Members of Canadian Brass are founders Chuck Daellenback, tuba, and Gene Watts, trombone; and Jeff Nelsen, horn; Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; and Chris Coletti, trumpet.
Canadian Brass performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $50 and $40; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48360.xml.
For more information about the ensemble, visit www.canbrass.com.
