News From The Trumpet World

A new Belgian brass ensemble, “New Brass Directions,” gave its premiere concert on November 17^th, 2011 in Limburg Hall of the Parkstad Theatre in Heerlen, Holland.

Founding member and music director of the group Benny Wiame led the concert in what was an unexpected program.

The first half of the program was works in a double quintet setting. The group opened with Die Dreigroschenoper by Kurt Weill, arranged by Steven Verhaert. The group premiered a new work by Stanley Friedman that was commissioned for the event. At this point, three jazz trumpeters, three jazz trombonists, and a complete rhythm section joined part of the classical group. The performers played another commissioned work, Mark Nightingale’s Our House. The concert concluded with King of Spain, written by trombonist Lode Mertens. The concert featured a unique fusion of the abilities of both the classical and jazz players.

The personnel in the group include: Antoine Aquisto (solo trumpet Opéra de Wallonie Liège and Professor at l’IMEP Namur), Andrei Kavalinsky (solo trumpet Brussels Philharmonic), Benny Wiame (professor Lemmensinstituut Leuven, Conservatory Gent and Conservatory Maastricht) and Leo Wouters (solo trumpet National Orchestra of Belgium and professor Lemmensinstituut Leuven) – trumpets

Bruce Richards (solo horn Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège and professor Conservatoire de Liège) and Kristina Mascher (American Horn Quartet) – horns

David Rey (solo trombone Brussels Philharmonic), Maarten Lowel, Wim Bex (bass trombone Limburgs Symfonisch Orkest Maastricht) – trombones

Bernd Van Echelpoel (solo tuba Royal Flemish Philharmonic Antwerpen and professor Lemmensinstituut Leuven) – tuba

Serge Plume (Brussels Jazz Orchestra), Nico Schepers (Brussels Jazz Ochestra and professor Conservatory Antwerpen) and Carlo Nardozza (free lance) – trumpets

Marc Godfroid (Brussels Jazz Orchestra, SWR Bigband, professor Conservatory Gent), Lode Mertens (Brussels Jazz Orchestra) and Frederik Heirman (Brussels Jazz Orchestra) – trombones

Toni Vitacolonna (Brussels Jazz Orchestra) – drums

Jos Machtel (Brussels Jazz Orchestra and professor Lemmensinstituut Leuven) – bass

Bart Vancaenegem (Professor Lemmensinstituut) – piano

Matty Cilissen (Conductor of the Royal Band of the Belgian Airforce) was brought in to conduct the Friedman Concerto.

On the premiere concert Marc Godfroid was replaced by Peter Delannoy and Bart Vancaenegem was replaced by Ewout Pierreux.

Links: www.newbrassdirections.com

Source: Arthur Vanderhoeft, Euro-ITG News Correspondent

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