ITG 2006 - Bravo Brass Recital

Elisa Koehler, reporter

The Bravo Brass, conducted by Paul Bryan, is the brass ensemble of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Comprised of a full symphonic low brass section with an expanded group of trumpets, this group of advanced high school students hails from the Delaware Valley region. Changes to the printed program were announced from the stage (works by Haydn and Biebl were omitted).

The concert began with a vibrant performance of Gordon Jacob's Salute to the U.S.A., showcasing the group's fine intonation and outstanding ensemble playing. Following a quick seating change, the Bravo Brass played Gabrieli's Canzon Noni Toni (in the Robert King arrangement). Shawn Pollard's fine arrangement of Faure's Pavane featured an impressive solo from the first horn player, and the use of flugelhorns and muted trumpets added a touch of color.

The low brass left the stage to feature the large trumpet section in an arrangement of a Gesualdo Madrigal by David Hickman. Highlighting finely shaped phrases, Bryan coaxed attractive Renaissance polyphony from the ensemble. The rest of the group returned for an entertaining performance of selections from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess arranged by Daniel Guyot. Many members of the ensemble were featured in cameo solos, most notably the low brass and tuba.

Following a brief intermission, the trumpet section returned for a spirited performance of Handel's “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba” from Solomon in an arrangement by David Marlatt. The sparkling piccolo trumpet playing and ensemble precision were most impressive. Trumpeter Robert Skoniczin, one of the group's faculty coaches, joined the trumpet ensemble for a solo performance of Stoelzel's Concerto in E-flat in an arrangement by Gordon Mathie. Playing on piccolo trumpet, Skoniczin dazzled the audience with tasteful virtuosity and glittering high notes. The trumpet ensemble provided able accompaniment.

The full ensemble returned for a rousing performance of Earl Zindar's challenging work, The Brass Square. The program concluded with an exciting performance of “Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner's Lohengrin in an arrangement by Jay Friedman.