Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

1404.0. "Bach: Art of the Fugue, Canadian Brass" by HPSCAD::WALL (I don't believe it.) Tue Nov 22 1988 08:47

    Bach: Art of the Fugue
    Canadian Brass
    CBS Masterworks MK44501
    Recorded at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene
    DDD
    
    Capsule Review:  Probably the most relaxing brass recording I've
    ever heard, and it sounds wonderful.
    
    The last time I mentioned the Canadian Brass anyplace, I got stomped
    on for calling a merely popular brass quintet "virtuoso."  Well,
    I'm not going to do that this time.  Let it be said that *I* like
    the Canadian Brass a whole lot, and on the strength of that liking
    I bought this recording.
    
    If the liner notes are to be believed, this project has been in
    the making for quite a while.  As lofty a figure as Glenn Gould
    lent his support to the notion of the Art of the Fugue being recorded
    by a brass quintet, and by this brass quintet in particular.
    
    The recording includes the original, unfinshed version of Contrapunctus
    XIV (Maetoso) and the Choral Prelude "Vor deinen Thron tret'ich
    hiermit" arranged for brass quintet by Arthur Frackenpohl, long
    time associate of the Canadian Brass.  Bach suspended work on the
    former to dictate the latter, his last work.
                                                
    I give this one high marks.  I only have my own uneducated opinion
    about the quality of the performance, and I think it's great.  The
    recording is absolutely noiseless as far as my ears can tell.  If
    you want some Bach played on something besides organ, pianos, or
    chamber instruments, give this a try.
    
    DFW

    I also like this recording very much.  It is much better than the
    Canadian Brass's attempt at the Vivaldi "Four Seasons".  However,
    I must say that, even though I am a brass fanatic (I believe that
    just about anything written for organ sounds better transcribed
    for Brass!!), I must say that I am addicted to the Glenn Gould
    recording.
    
    Bye the way, the Canadian Brass have great transcriptions of both
    the Toccata and Fugue in d minor and the Passacaglia by Bach on
    an earlier RCA recording.