Canadian Brass--Serious Music, Seriously Entertaining

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

December 1 , 2006

The virtuosi of the Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for both serious and tongue-in-cheek musical performances.  The ensemble not only presents works in the classical repertoire, but takes daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert pieces, and popular songs. 

Whether formal and classical or humorously served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects, the music is always central, played with dedication and brilliance.  This world-class group makes a stop in Charlottesville for a Paramount concert on Friday, December 15 at 8 pm. 

Special Media Sponsor for this event is WHTJ Charlottesville PBS.

The quintet -- having just celebrated its 35th season -- has announced the creation of a trumpet "Dream Team" to fill its trumpet positions. As Gene Watts, the group’s trombonist, has noted, the trumpet performers they’ve assembled “represent the finest players in the world today.  To be able to have them perform with us as members of the Canadian Brass is indeed a dream.  We’re sure our audiences will thank us for making this unique opportunity come to life.”   Joining Watts, Bernhard Scully (horn), and Chuck Daellenbach (tuba) for their Charlottesville engagement is Joe Burgstaller, well-known to Brass audiences (and resuming his permanent appointment after a year soloing and performing in New York City), and Jeroen Berwaerts, principal trumpet of the Hamburg Radio Symphony. 

The group has a long history of recording classical repertoire.  They have a special affinity for Baroque music, which requires the technical excellence and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass’ trademark.   Especially drawn to the works of J.S. Bach, their more than 60 recordings to date also include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner -- all in meticulously-crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in brass performance.

Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass on such programs as The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and Entertainment Tonight. They have appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials. The quintet has also created eight videos that have gained an international audience, and just released a DVD that captures the group in performance over three decades, entitled Three Nights with Canadian Brass.

The group sprang from modest and highly experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario in 1970 – a time when the brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble.   Thanks to their pioneer status, the group developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful it has been emulated by many other ensembles.  The Canadian Brass’ imagination and consummate musicianship has elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today.

Seats for the Canadian Brass on Friday, December 15 are $75, $59, $56, and $53.   A Youth/Child price of $25 is being offered for those aged 12 and younger.    Students of all ages may obtain half-price student rush tickets at the Box Office with a valid ID 45 minutes prior to curtain.  Group discounts are also available. 

Tickets may be ordered online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.  
For more information about Canadian Brass, please visit www.canbrass.com.