Music for Brass Septet, Vol. 3 - Works from Schostakowitsch / Prokofiev / Scriabin / Rachmaninov Septura

• Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
• 1 I. Largo 05:16
• 2 II. Allegro molto 03:11
• 3 III. Allegretto 04:45
• 4 IV. Largo 05:18
• 5 V. Largo 03:51
• Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
• 6 No. 1. Marche 01:40
• 7 No. 2. Gavotte 02:45
• 8 No. 9. Scherzo humoristique 02:43
• 9 No. 8. Allemande 03:10
• 10 March and Scherzo from The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33ter: II. March: Tempo di Marcia (arr. S. Cox for brass septet) 01:44
• Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)
• 11 6 Preludes, Op. 13: No. 1 in C Major: Maestoso (arr. M. Knight for brass septet) 02:40
• 12 3 Preludes, Op. 35: No. 3 in C Major: Scherzoso (arr. M. Knight for brass septet) 01:11
• 13 No. 4 in A-Flat: Lento 01:12
• 14 No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor: Con stravaganza 00:58
• 15 5 Preludes, Op. 16: No. 4 in E-Flat Minor: Lento (arr. M. Knight for brass septet) 00:49
• 16 24 Preludes, Op. 11: No. 6 in B Minor: Allegro (arr. M. Knight for brass septet) 01:01
• Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
• 17 14 Songs, Op. 34: No. 14. Vocalise in E Minor (arr. S. Cox for brass septet) 05:59
• 18 No. 3. Russian theme 04:30
• 19 No. 2. Scherzo 03:11
• 20 No. 5. Romance 03:42
• 21 No. 6. Slava! (Glory) 05:45
• Total Runtime 01:05:21

Info for Music for Brass Septet, Vol. 3 - Works from Schostakowitsch / Prokofiev / Scriabin / Rachmaninov

Stretching back from the stark Soviet soundscape of Shostakovich, through the early modernism of Prokofiev to the pre-revolutionary opulence of Scriabin and Rachmaninov, Septura redresses a lack of original music for brass by these great composers by charting a turbulent seventy years of Russian history. Brass instruments feature prominently in these composers’ symphonic output, and Septura is a natural fit for their chamber music. The focus is piano music with one prominent exception: perhaps Septura’s most ambitious transcription to date, Shostakovich’s profound and deeply personal Eighth String Quartet. Volumes 1 and 2 are available on Naxos 8.573314 and 8.573386.

Alan Thomas, trumpet in B flat
Simon Cox, trumpet in B flat
Huw Morgan, trumpet in E flat
Peter Smith, tuba
Matthew Gee, trombone
Matthew Knight, trombone
Dan West, bass trombone

Septura
brings together London’s leading players to redefine brass chamber music through the uniquely expressive sound of the brass septet.

By creating a canon of transcriptions, arrangements and new commissions for this brand new classical configuration, Septura aims to re-cast the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium. Currently Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music, London, the group is recording a series of 10 discs for Naxos Records, each focused on a particular period, genre and set of composers, creating a ‘counter-factual history’ of brass chamber music.

The first two discs in the series are available now, described respectively as “an uplifting debut from a magnificent seven” (Fiona Maddocks), and “the most interesting, innovative and perfectly played disc of brass ensemble music I have ever encountered” (David Denton). The third will be released in December 2015, and the fourth will be recorded in May 2015.

Weaving this ever-increasing repertoire into captivating live events, Septura is gaining a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and imaginative programming, built around strong concepts and themes.

Septura’s members are the leading players of the new generation of British brass musicians, holding principal positions in the London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, Basel Symphony and Aurora orchestras.

Booklet for Music for Brass Septet, Vol. 3 - Works from Schostakowitsch / Prokofiev / Scriabin / Rachmaninov