Classical Christmas Music For Brass That Rocks
photo credit: vees
Great classical Christmas music for brass is a dime a dozen - you just have to know the right records to buy.
Unfortunately, there are a slew of Christmas brass records out there that suck. What do you expect? Pretty much any brass band that takes themselves seriously will at some time or another put out one or multiple Christmas records. And no, the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble has yet to put out a record filled with classical Christmas music. Perhaps this means we don’t take ourselves seriously?
Nah…a Christmas record is scheduled for release in 2009. It’s gonna be called “In Your Face, The Most Obnoxious Christmas Record Yet Recorded.” It will consist mainly of traditional Christmas tunes arranged in the style of Pierre Boulez and Arnold Schoenberg.
Now that would make for a seriously deranged holiday album!
Back to being serious…we’re planning the record to be a nice mix of traditional and not so traditional tunes arranged with both classical and jazz styles in mind. However, I have planned well in advance to make the trumpet section bleed the studio floor red with blood pools of passion.
Some of the best classical Christmas music for brass that I’ve yet heard can be found on the album A Festival of Carols, recorded by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble. It was recorded in 1966, and while it doesn’t have the most exciting of arrangements, the playing is off the charts. Traditional arrangements that are played with amazing execution is something to enjoy. 24 carols fill the record and each one breaths its own life and sound. Check it out.
I like what the Boston Brass did a few years back by recording Stan Kenton’s Christmas carol arrangements, except for brass. Exciting arrangements (of course, it’s Kenton) and some fantastic playing.
One thing I would really like to hear recorded is the complete Nutcracker ballet arranged for large brass ensemble - now THAT would be killin.’ Something to think about!
I think a lot of classical Christmas music for brass gets a bad rap because so many of the arrangements out there are so similar. I recently wrote a post about brass music in the 21st century, and I think some of those same arguments can be made for Christmas music arranged and composed for brass. I love a good Christmas album recorded by great brass players, but it’s the usually the arrangements that fall short for me.
Here’s to great classical Christmas music for brass that rocks!
Tags: Christmas music, Christmas music for brass, classical Christmas music