Search - Bengt Eklund's Baroque Ensemble :: Courtly Trumpet Ensemble Music

Superb performances of rare gems

09/25/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Charamela Real trumpet ensemble of Lisbon have a rather mysterious history, and almost nothing is known of the composers who wrote for them. In many cases, these composers must have been thoroughly aware of the potential and limitations of the natural trumpet, writing for choirs of instruments in two different keys and perfectly idiomatically. The performances of the 12 and 24 part pieces are quite stunning, while the remainder of the recording is more familiar and equally valuable. The performers use modern copies of the Portugeuse instruments, though the use of fingerholes to correct inherent tuning idiosyncracies does detract somewhat from the otherwise entirely authentic and convinving style. Besides, when recording such music for the first time and purporting to use original instruments, why compromise? This is the complaint of a purist, however, and the disc remains an enjoyable and valuable contribution to a collection."

The Trumpet Ensemble CD I have ever heard

11/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For sheer glorious trumpet sounds...this can't be beat. If you ever buy a brass recording this must be the one. Also stirring is the tympani playing of Anders Bramvall. I enjoy the stacco playing of tympani much more than the rolls. I had the cassette published by the Musical Heritage Society and played the "Tarr" out of it. Was thrilled when it appeared as a CD. What a sound!!!."