ROCHESTER, NY — Long before the new fast ferry started bringing Canadians to Rochester, Canada’s — and the world’s — best known brass quintet, the Canadian Brass, has been bringing their acclaimed music to our city. So for the third consecutive summer, the men who “put brass music on the map” will be in Rochester again for a special “Canadian Brass Weekend” (July 23-25) at the Eastman School of Music.
The highlight of the weekend, part of the School’s annual summer session, is a concert by the group at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 24. The concert, which will feature a variety of works that cross many musical genres, will take place in Kilbourn Hall (26 Gibbs St.) — providing an up-close and intimate concert experience with the acclaimed brass ensemble known for blending virtuosity, humor, and genre-blending repertoire.
From their origins in Toronto, the Canadian Brass — which includes Eastman alumnus and tubist Charles Daellenbach — has made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for concert music and concertgoers of any age. With repertoire spanning a range of over 300 years, the group has made more than 50 recordings, including works by Vivaldi, Gabrielli, Beethoven, Bach, and Wagner, and have commissioned works by celebrated composers Lukas Foss, Peter Schickele, and William Bolcom. The quintet has created their own musical world by transcribing, arranging, and commissioning more than 200 works. In addition to tours around the world and performances with major symphony orchestras, the Canadian Brass have been seen by millions of television viewers on such programs as The Tonight Show, NBC News’ Today, and Entertainment Tonight. They have performed as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials.
Reserved tickets for the concert are $20, $15, and $10 — and are going fast. They are available in person at the Ticket Express Box Office (875 Main St. in the Auditorium Theatre), by phone at 232-1900, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the Kilbourn Hall box office one hour before each concert.
As part of its summer residency at Eastman, the Canadian Brass will work with and coach professional, collegiate, and high school-age students in brass ensemble repertoire. The weekend workshop will conclude with a free performance by these students at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 25, in Kilbourn Hall. The public is invited.
Note to editors: Color photos of the Canadian Brass are available for downloading at www.canbrass.com/press.html