CONCERTS AND SHOWS

Buzz Brass offers a musical repertoire encompassing many styles and periods. The ensemble’s arrangements for brass quintet give every work presented an original touch, as most of them were created especially for the Buzz ensemble. The quintet performs occasionally with other musicians, depending on the shows. This is how organ and brass intertwine in Gustav Holst’s Planets, a piano is featured in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and how a choir breathes magic into the Christmas Concert.

Brass Variations

“À la carte” Concerts

 
Buzz Brass’ extensive repertoire includes an engaging blend of musical styles from the Renaissance (1453–1600) to the present. Whether you prefer to hear classical music, jazz or even folk tunes, we can arrange a concert program that meets your needs and expectations.
 
Some examples
 
Classical Music
 
Canzona prima a 5     [2:20]
Giovanni Gabrielli
 
Fugue in G minor BWV 578     [3:30]
Johann Sebastian Bach
 
Ouverture to Berenice     [2:30]
Georg Friedrich Haendel
 
Quintet No 3     [18:30]
Victor Ewald
I. Allegro moderato II. Intermezzo III. Andante IV. Vivo
 
Rhapsody in Blue     [14:00]
(Piano solo accompanied by Brass Quintet)
George Gershwin
 
Sabre Dance     [2:15]
Aram Khachaturian
 
The Girl With the Flaxen Hair     [2:15]
Claude Debussy
 
Vesper of 1610 – Opening Chorus – Deus in adjutorium     [2:30]
Claudio Monteverdi


Jazz

Amazing Grace     [4:15]
Traditional

Basin Street Blues     [5:15]
Spencer Williams

Can Can Ouverture     [5:00]
Cole Porter

It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing     [2:15]
Duke Ellington

That’s a Plenty     [2:00]
Lew Pollack

The Entertainer     [3:45]
Scott Joplin
 
 
Canadian Music
 
Divertimento     [6:00]
Gary Kulesha (1954-)
 
Five Bagatelles     [8:30]
Scott Good (1972-)
I. Allegro moderato II. Slow III. Fast IV. Slow V. March
 
Partita      [12:00]
Stewart Grant (1948-)
I. Intrada II. Waltz III. Scherzino IV. Introduction, Blues & Finale
 
Petite fanfare     [2:00]
Jacques Hétu (1938-2010)
 
La Rose Nuptiale     [7:15]
Calixa Lavallée (1842-1891)
Arr.: Howard Cable (1920-)
 
Three Dance Impressions     [7:00]
Morley Calvert (1928-1991)
I. With Dignity II. With Elegance III. With humour
 
Three Folk Miniatures     [4:30]
André Jutras (1957-)
Arr.: Enrico O. Dastous (1976-)
I. V’là l’bon vent II. Isabeau s’y promène III. Les Raftmen

_______________________________________________________

 
This first CD draws from the repertoire of traditional folk and Canadian music.
 
What the critics are saying:
 

This first recording is a success in every respect.”
Le Journal de Montréal daily, October 8, 2005

A formidable blend of humour and rigour. The overall effect is most delightful, both for those coming to folk music from chamber music as vice versa.
Panorama cultural television show on the TVO network, October 25, 2005

One cannot but joyously approve the novel initiative. All in all, a lot of beautiful music.
La Scena Musicale cultural monthly, December 2005

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V'là l'bon vent
Isabeau s'y promène
Les Raftmen
La grocerie du coin / La bastringue
Malbrough s''en va en guerre / La mère Michelle
Frère Jacques (Mineur)
Frère Jacques (Jazz)
With Humour
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Scherzo and Lied
Guillaume Tell Ouverture
Dance
Hockey Night in Canada
It don't mean a thing

 

The Planets

Concert for Brass Quintet and Organ

 
Buzz Brass and organist Mélanie Barney unite to offer a personalized version of The Planets. This true icon of the symphonic repertoire that made English composer Gustav Holst famous depicts the astrological personality of each planet in the solar system, except for the Earth. Let the sound of the organ and the brass take you away on a majestic interplanetary voyage!
 
According to your preferences, your budget and the expectations of your audience, this performance is available with different options.
 
Option 1 --------------------------------------------------------------
Music
 
The Planets [55:00]
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Version for Brass Quintet and Organ: Enrico O. Dastous
 
        Mars, the Bringer of War [7:30]
        Venus, the Bringer of Peace [9:10]
        Mercury, the Winged Messenger [4:50]
        Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity [9:00]
        Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age [8:50]
        Uranus, the Magician [6:20]

 

Mars
[normal quality] [high quality]

 

Option 2 --------------------------------------------------------------
More music

La Péri – Fanfare [2:15]
Paul Dukas (1865-1935)

Danse macabre [8:30]
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice [12:00]
Paul Dukas
Version for Brass Quintet and Organ: Enrico O. Dastous

 ---------- Intermission ----------
 
The Planets [55:00]
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Version for Brass Quintet and Organ : Enrico O. Dastous
 
       Mars, the Bringer of War [7:30]
       Venus, the Bringer of Peace [9:10]
       Mercury, the Winged Messener [4:50
       Jupiter, the Bringer of Jolliy [9:00]
       Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age [8:50]
       Uranus, the Magician [6:20]
       Neptune, the Mystic [9:30]
 
Uranus
[normal quality] [high quality]

 

Option 3 --------------------------------------------------------------
Music, narrative and visuals

Buzz Brass illustrates its interpretation of The Planets with dazzling projected images of seven video clips representing the astronomical personality of the seven planets that inspired Gustav Holst. Music and images are further enhanced with the live reading of a text authored by Pierre Chastenay, astronomer at the Montreal Planetarium, public speaker, author and television host.  

Jupiter
[Sample]
Saturne
[Sample]

________________________________________________________

 
HOLST – THE PLANETS
Buzz Brass & Mélanie Barney [organ]
Transcription by Enrico O. Dastous
 
Previously known for its multidisciplinary productions and educational performances, Buzz Brass affirms its rigorous artistic choices in this third recording and establishes its inherent musical quality.
 

ADISQ 2010 nominee for “Album of the Year”
in the classical music category / solo and small ensembles

 

What the critics are saying:

“One of this year’s best gems.
Le Journal de Montréal daily, December 24, 2009

Superb. A must!
La Scena Musicale cultural monthly, October 2009

A great album.
Le Journal de Montréal daily, September 26, 2009

A version for brass quintet and organ is food for thought. But the result is there. Impeccable recording.
Voir cultural weekly, September 24, 2009

Interesting curiosity.
Le Devoir Montreal daily, September 25, 2009

One of the best organ recordings I have yet had the privilege to hear, a reference in the genre.
Magazine Audio e-zine, September 24, 2009

Superb, highly recommended!
Mixtures - The newsletter of the Quebec Federation of Friends of the Organ, May 2010

“A strikingly rich and dramatic new recording of Enrico O. Dastous’s arrangement for brass quintet and organ of Gustav Holst’s The Planets sounded magnificent
Stereophile - USA, May 2010

The History of Music

 


Musitheatrical show

 
Well-known for the high quality of performances aimed at a young audience, Buzz Brass now reaches the general public with a new version of one of its original shows.
 
The History of Music takes you on a witty and spirited journey through space and time to the origins of contemporary music. This show features the main events that have influenced music of the Western civilization, from prehistory to the present. Let the powerful brass sounds lift you in a fun and highly original crescendo!
 
This show combines music and theater while also including a professional actor who impersonates the main character around which the music revolves. The staging of the performance has been carefully designed to insure the most dynamic interaction between the artists and the audience. Entirely performed from memory, the score is perfectly integrated and features prominently in the show. From Bach to Stravinsky, from prehistoric musical horns to Beatles songs, this adult version of the History of Music is sure to make you all eyes and ears!
 

After their performance, we received raving comments both from the audience and our own technical team. The flexible technical requirements, the easily set-up props and the unquestionable quality of the musical and stage performance combine to provide a show suitable for all audiences and all venues. We warmly recommend Buzz Brass as they are an essential asset in the promotion of chamber music for brass ensemble.
Michèle Rouleau, Hector-Charland Theatre 


Duration: 90 min. + intermission 20 min. = 110 minutes
Setup time: 75 minutes
Takedown time: 45 minutes
Required stage measurements: W 28’ x D 24’ x H 12’
For concert halls: lighting layout provided / microphone required according to the size of the venue

 
 
Musika The History of Music
[normal quality] [high quality]

THE HISTORY OF MUSIC
Author and artistic director: Sylvain Lapointe
Director: Guillaume Lapierre-Desnoyers
Costume designer: Diane Coudée
Set designers: Sylvain Arseneau and Joannie D’Amour / Michel Demers
Lighting: Michel Demers and David-Alexandre Chabot
Translation: Shelley Tepperman and Gäétan Chénier

Musical Repertoire Performed

 

Ouverture

La Péri – Fanfare
Paul Dukas, arrangement: Wayne Barrington

Prehistoric Period

The Caveman’s Rap
Johanne Latreille, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Antiquity

Song of the Sicilian Sheperds and Sikkinis Dance
Anonymous, arrangement: Jason De Carufel and Sylvain Lapointe

Roman Calls
Jason De Carufel and Sylvain Lapointe

20th Century Fox fanfare
Alfred Newman, arrangement: Enrico O. Dastous

Venetia, Mundi Splendor / Michael Cui Steno Domus
Motet for the Installation of the Doge Michele Steno, 19 December 1400
Johannes Ciconia

Middle Ages

Antiphony to the Holy Virgin
Anonymous Gregorian chant


Renaissance

Canzon per sonare no.1 “La spiritata”
Giovanni Gabrieli

Canzona prima a 5
Giovanni Gabrielli

Renaissance Dances – La Mourisque
Tylman Susato, arrangement: John Iveson

Now is the Month of Maying
Thomas Morley, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

The Marie-Golde
Anthony Holborne

Baroque Period

Bal
Johann Pezel

The Four Seasons, Spring
Antonio Vivaldi, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Canon
Johann Pachelbel, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Johann Sebastian Bach, arrangement: Frederick Mills

Goldberg Variations, Aria
Johann Sebastian Bach, arrangement: Arthur Franckenpohl

Classical Period

Surprise Symphony and Divertimento
Joseph Haydn, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

A Little Night Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

9th Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Romanticism

Buzz Opera
Enrico O. Dastous

Ballade Op. 65 No. 5
Edvard Grieg, arrangement: Alan Civil

20th Century

Amazing Grace
American Traditional

Bubble Jazz Cocktail
Marie-Josée Poulin

Come Together
John Lennon, arrangement: Jocelyn Leblanc

Décadence
Enrico O. Dastous

Hockey Night in Canada
Dolores Claman, arrangement: Jocelyn Leblanc

James Bond Theme
Monty Norman, arrangement: Jocelyn Leblanc

Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

On Broadway
Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

The Rite of Spring
Igor Stravinski, arrangement: Benoît Côté

Singin’ In The Rain
Nacio Herb Brown, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Super Mario Bros. Theme
Koji Kondo, arrangement: Jocelyn Leblanc

The Maestro

La Péri – Fanfare
Paul Dukas, arrangement: Wayne Barrington

Quintet No 3
Victor Ewald

5th Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Just a Closer Walk
American Traditional, arrangement: Frederick Mills

The Saint’s Hallelujah
American Traditional / Georg Friedrich Haendel
Arrangement: Luther Henderson, adaptation: Sylvain Lapointe

Imperial March
John Williams, arrangement: Sylvain Lapointe

Christmas Concert

Brass Quintet alone or with Choir

 
At the heart of many musical projects available at Christmas, Buzz Brass’ concert stands out. Whether the quintet appears alone or with a choir, its festive yet moving performance embodies the magic of the season. In this wide sample of traditional Christmas carols and inspired works, a place of honour is given to Quebec folklore, a sign of its importance to the ensemble. Mystery and enchantment are the gifts that Buzz Brass brings to its audience.
_________________________________________________
 

BUZZ - NOËL

The production of this festive yet touching album finds Buzz Brass surrounded by a choir of twelve singers and three musicians – a harpist, a timpanist and percussionist – all conducted by the reputable Julian Wachner.

What the critics are saying:

Buzz has, in a way, taken over from the mythical Canadian Brass. Without straying from tradition, these five musicians make us rediscover Christmas.
Le Journal de Montréal daily, December 2, 2006

My favourite and my Christmas-music recommendation this year!
CBC Radio One, December 5, 2006
 


Carol of the Bells
Noël Canadien
Cantate de Noël
Christmas Canticle

 

Christmas concert with Buzz Brass

[Sample]

 

 
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