Clang, Clang (25 cents)

The Tuesday concert at the Church of the Epiphany was by Brass of Peace, a 25 year old organization that sponsors a high school brass ensemble. Participating were 10 high school students and 8 alumni, led by NSO horn player Sylvia Alimena.

The highlight of the program was Benjamin Britten's "Funeral Music", composed during the Spanish Civil War, and a very powerful, evocative piece. Unfortunately, it was followed by Bruckner's "Ave Maria" and "Antiphon", which left me cold (as Bruckner always does).

The church's accoustics are perfect for brass instruments and the musicians were good, but they are clearly not professional and I couldn't help thinking, listening to the program, how good it would sound in professional hands. This is not to criticize the highschoolers; after all, they are highschoolers.

I did not stay for the last two pieces, which were on the 'pop', more than the classical side. Gershwin's "Summertime" is, to me, a vocal piece, not one for trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas, and Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" is for reeds, not brass.