CD: Music for Brass Septet Volume 4

Composer and conductor, Tom Davoren reviews Septura’s fourth release on the Naxos label - Brass Band World's CD of the month.

Gabrielli, Lassus, Palestrina, Victoria
Naxos Label: 8.573526
Continuing the proud British tradition of excellence in British brass chamber music, Septura’s unique mission statement is a re-imagining of the history of western art music through asking the question, ‘what if these works of art had been written for brass?’

With the earlier releases of the group’s ten-disc Naxos series focusing on music from the 19th, 17th and 20th centuries, it’s interesting that the theme of this disc (the fourth of the series) looks back to a period heralded as the point of genesis of music for brass ensemble; the 16th Century.

Thanks to pioneering ensembles such as the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, Canadian Brass and the Wallace Collection, the music of this era has long served as staple concert repertoire for both amateur and professional brass ensembles alike, particularly that of the Giovanni Gabrieli (1554-1612) Orlando de Lassus (1532-1594), Giovanni Pierlugi de Palestrina (1532-1594) and Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548- 1611). Considering the widespread popularity and availability of this music, the feeling of originality surrounding this recording by Septura is incredibly impressive.

There is an overwhelming sense of sincerity present in both the skilfully crafted new arrangements, made by the ensemble’s artistic directors, Simon Cox and Matthew Knight, and the execution of performance, which is characterised by an approach to sound concept and turn of phrase that is seemingly laced
with historical consideration and musical purpose, rather than with a desire for the kind pyrotechnic entertainment with which
the brass band world is, perhaps, all too
familiar nowadays. Indeed, the music is
a perfect fit for brass septet, not least for Septura.

As a stand-alone release, the similarity of sound-world occupied by the composers Gabrieli, Lassus, Palestrina and Victoria
may not appeal to those accustomed to the ‘whizz-bang’ contrasts of your
‘common garden’ brass band CD.
However, for those listeners with a lust
for music of rare reflective quality and unparalleled beauty, realised through
some the most perfect technical execution in brass performance recorded to date, Septura’s Music for Brass Septet - Volume 4 is sure to be one of the most treasured CD releases of 2016.

Programme: 4/5
Performance: 5/5
Recording: 5/5
Presentation: 4/5

Buy this disc here.

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