Making their first Australian appearances in four decades, the American Brass Quintet (ABQ) have been rightly described as “the high priests of brass” (Newsweek), known for their unparalleled technique, compelling repertoire and rich-toned, perfectly matched sound.
They are internationally recognised as one of the premier chamber music ensembles of our time, celebrated for peerless leadership in the brass world. And as members of the faculty of the Juilliard School and a residency at the Aspen Music Festival, the ABQ has helped shape the renowned American brass tradition. In 2013 the Quintet was the recipient of Chamber Music America’s highest honour, the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award for significant and lasting contributions to the field.
This May the Quintet, founded in 1960, is bringing their new line-up to Australia, with the recent appointments of Louis Hanzlik (trumpet) and Eric Reed (horn) alongside long serving members Kevin Cobb (trumpet), Michael Powell (trombone), and John D Rojak (bass trombone). This group is thrilled to be travelling Down Under says John D Rojak.
“We’re all incredibly excited,” says Rojak. “It’s a trip you don’t get to make too often. The reaction in the group was, how long till we go, how long can we stay?”
The ABQ will tour Newcastle, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and Adelaide during the second half of May with two programmes rich in music written for brass, highlighting the group’s continued commitment to play only 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 repertoire, from Renaissance to contemporary.
“We’ll always play contemporary music,” says Rojak, “and we’ll generally play Renaissance music. And in the history of brass quintets, there’s not a whole lot in-between.”
However, one program does feature an example of the rare “in-between” works, with Ludwig Maurer’s 1880s “Five Pieces.”
The ABQ’s repertoire will feature many living composers, including significant US composer Joan Tower; Jay Greenberg, aged just 23; and David Sampson.
Long-time Brisbane resident William Lovelock’s “Miniature Suite” will also be showcased. “He’s one of yours,” says Rojak of William Lovelock (1899-1986). “He’s 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.”
Speaking about his hopes for the audiences, 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.”
The American Brass Quintet will perform in Newcastle, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and Adelaide. For full concert information visit musicaviva.com.au/2014
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