Search - George Vosburgh, Tami Fire, Richard Webster :: Pittsburgh Symphony Brass: The Spirit of Christmas

Majesty & grace; power & subtlety

Donald H. Nelson | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 12/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is considered to be one of the finest orchestras in the United States, and their renowned brass section contributes to its characteristic tight, warm sound. The Pittsburgh Symphony Brass contains members of the PSO, including trumpet wielders George Vosburgh and Neal Berntsen, who provided the arrangements for this wonderful CD. Completing the sextet are William Caballero (horn), Peter Sullivan and Murray Crewe (trombones) and Eric Bubacz (tuba).This, their second Christmas recording, is their finest thus far. "A Christmas Concert", their other Christmas CD, plays it straight with good performances of mostly traditional arrangements. "Spirit of Christmas" adds timpani (Timothy Adams) and pipe organ (Richard Webster) to many pieces, as well as mezzo soprano Tami Fire, who joins the players to sing Marvin Hamlisch's touching "Take Me to Christmas Past." The result of the additional orchestration is a more lush and varied sound; it makes for a more interesting experience to hear these larger orchestrations interspersed among those featuring the brass alone.
The final piece, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a particularly beautiful reading by George Vosburgh, playing solo on the Flugelhorn.The new arrangements are superb and appropriate to the subject matter, exuding majesty without becoming bombastic. They also serve to spotlight the virtuosity and power of the PSO brass. This is a work of brilliance that will give you chills; I give it my highest recommendation."