The American Brass Quintet

Returning to Australia after some 40 years, the American Brass Quintet (ABQ) has been described by Newsweek as “the high priests of brass” .

Known for their unparalleled technique, compelling repertoire and rich, perfectly matched sound, the quintet has an international reputation as one of the premier chamber music ensembles of our time. As members of the faculty of the Juilliard School and a resident at the Aspen Music Festival, the ABQ has helped shape the quintessential American brass tradition. 

Founded in 1960, the quintet is bringing their new line-up to Australia, with the recent appointments of trumpeter Louis Hanzlik and horn player Eric Reed joining existing trumpeter Kevin Cobb,, trombone player Michael Powell and bass trombonist John D Rojak  This group is thrilled to be travelling Down Under says John D Rojak.

The ABQ will present two programmes of dedicated brass repertoire in Sydney, highlighting the group’s continued commitment to only play music written specifically for brass instruments, or, for unspecified instruments in the case of some historic repertoire. Both programs will feature a broad range of music from Renaissance to contemporary.

The ABQ will perform music by many living composers, including  US composers Joan Tower; Jay Greenberg, aged just 23; and David Sampson. As well, they will play William Lovelock’s (1899-1986)  Miniature Suite. John Rojak says William Lovelock  ” is considered Australian. We performed the suite quite a bit in the 90s. It’s a very charming piece; in fact I think he wrote it for the ABQ. We recorded it about ten years ago.”

For the audience, Rojak says, “I would like people to leave the concerts satisfied that they had a fantastic couple of hours in a concert hall, hearing music that penetrated deep into their bones.”

Artists

Kevin Cobb and Louis Hanzlik, trumpets/ Eric Reed – horn/Michael Powell – trombone/John D. Rojak – bass trombone

May 19 Programme:

In Gabrieli’s Day (edited by Raymond Mase):
    MARENZIO Scendi dal paradiso/     MAZZI Canzon Prima a 5/    GABRIELI Sacro tempio d’honor/    CANGIASI Canzon “La Girometta”
    GASTOLDI Balletti a cinque voci
LOVELOCK Miniature Suite
SAMPSON Chesapeake
MAURER Five Pieces
MONTEVERDI Three Madrigals (edited by Raymond Mase):    Si ch’io vorrei morire/    Non più guerra, pietate/    Ah dolente partita
TOWER Copperwave

May 31 programme:
MORLEY Elizabethan Ayres (edited by Raymond Mase):    Fyer, Fyer!/    Good morrow, fair ladies of the May/Gaude Maria virgo/
    When lo, by breake of morning; I follow lo the footing
LACERDA Quinteto Concertante
GREENBERG Brass Quintet, Op.25
SNOW Dance Movements (1981)
PRÉS Chansons (edited by Raymond Mase):   El grillo/  Playne de deuil/   De tous biens playne/    Kanon; N’esse pas ung grant deplaisir
LOVELOCK Miniature Suite

Tickets: $47- $90; additional fees may apply. Click here to book