The Spanish Brass have plumbed the depths of standard brass literature for 25 years, adding choreography, innovative commissions and collaborations, and incorporating fresh jazz and bebop inspired arrangements. They present a formidable aural and visual experience that is exciting, fresh and of substance. davidbrubeck.com is especially pleased to present The Spanish Brass Luur Metalls as the fifth installment of “FIVE!” tm, our chamber music series. This interview is presented in both English and Spanish.
Which were the chamber music groups that inspired you to form the Spanish Brass?
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, German Brass, Canadian Brass…, but most of all Philip Jones…
How did you envision the identity of the group when you began? How has that identity changed?
We were all weaned, musically speaking, in JONDE (Joven Orquesta Nacional de España-The Spanish National Youth Orchestra), and developed a desire to do the same thing that our friends playing string and woodwind instruments were doing with chamber music.
With which large ensemble does Spanish Brass share the most similarities? Orchestra, Band, Jazz Band or other?
I believe that chamber music has its own identity and maybe we shouldn’t look for similarities…. instead create and believe in chamber music as something unique.
How important is blocking or choreography, and how do you approach it?
It is really important to us to be able to choreograph the music and through that make the music more interesting for the audience, that is the way we paint (draw) the music. Also, being able to play from memory helps us have a more direct contact with the audience.
Which currently active chamber music groups have made innovative presentations of interest to you?
Mnozil Brass
What is life like on the road with the Spanish Brass?
It is marvelous! To be able to visit and exchange ideas with other cultures and countries enriches us every day! Thanks to our audiences, we continue to develop as an ensemble and as people. I wish that all musicians could share this wonderful experience.
Which have been your most memorable audiences?
So many! Perhaps we remember the ones from Japan, United States, and Latin America with the most affection.
How do the heritage, perspectives and environment of the Iberian Peninsula inform or inspire the flavor of your group?
For us, it is very important to be able to work something in from our heritage and share our culture and the music of Spain. It is our privilege to represent our people, and it is important for us that all of our arrangements are of the highest quality and that we do not betray this heritage. International audiences love Spanish music, and it is our very important responsibility to continue making it known.
Which is your favorite SB recording, and why?
They are all like my children…. all of them are my favorites and good….; maybe we could talk about the latest one… This year Spanish Brass celebrate our 25th season! With our anniversary, we have a new release to celebrate the milestone, and have drawn inspiration from the beginnings of the Spanish Brass, giving great importance to the original repertoire for brass quintet.
In your opinion, who are the best brass players in the world today?
On the Trumpet– Wynton Marsalis
Horn– Bruno Schneider
Trombone– Michel Becquet
Tuba-Ufff…
Euphonium– Steven Mead
Bass Trombone– Stephen Schulz, Brand Attema… there are many…
Interested in more “FIVE” tm interviews?
Canadian Brass 2014, Windsync 2014, Boston Brass 2015, Mnozil Brass 2015, Spanish Brass 2014, Dallas Brass 2014, Seraph 2014, Atlantic Brass Quintet 2015, Mirari Brass 2015, Axiom Brass 2015, Scott Hartmann of the Empire Brass 2015, Jeffrey Curnow of the Empire Brass 2015, Ron Barron and Ken Amis of the Empire Brass, Meridian Arts Ensemble 2015, Berlin Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet 2015, American Brass Quintet 2015
¿Cuáles fueron los grupos de música de cámara que los inspiraron a formar Spanish Brass?
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, German Brass, Canadian Brass…, pero sobre todo Philip Jones…
¿Cómo idearon la identidad del grupo cuando comenzaron? ¿Cómo ha cambiado esa identidad?
Empezó en el seno de la JONDE con ganas de hacer lo mismo que hicieron nuestros compañeros de la cuerda y del viento madera cuando hacÃan música de cámara. Nuestra identidad siempre ha sido poder crear nuevas músicas y ampliar el repertorio de música de cámara para quinteto de metales.
¿Qué tipo de conjunto mayor comparte más caracterÃsticas con Spanish Brass?
Orquesta, banda grupo, grupo de jazz o de otro tipo?
Creo que la música de cámara tiene su propia identidad y quizás no deberÃamos buscar similitudes…, si no crear y creer en la música de cámara como algo único.
¿Cuán importante es la colocación de músicos en escena o la coreografÃa, y cómo es que las abordan?
Es importantÃsimo para nosotros poder coreografiar la música y de esa hacer más interesante la música al público, de esa manera dibujamos la música. Además, el poder tocar de memoria nos ayuda a tener un contacto más directo con el público.
¿Cuáles grupos de cámara activos ahora han realizado presentaciones innovativas que les interesa?
Mnozil Brass
¿Cómo es la vida itinerante entre recitales con Spanish Brass?
¡¡Es maravillosa!! Poder conocer otras culturas y paÃses nos enriquece dÃa a dÃa y gracias a ello evolucionamos como grupo y como personas. Todos los músicos deberÃan poder probarlo.
¿Cuáles han sido sus públicos más memorables?
¡Muchos! Quizás recordamos con más cariño los de Japón, EE.UU. y Latinoamérica.
¿Cómo informan o inspiran el estilo o sabor del grupo el legado, perspectivas, o ambientes de la penÃnsula ibérica?
Para nosotros es importantÃsimo poder trabajar y difundir nuestra cultura y en consecuencia la música española. Es muy importante para nosotros que cualquiera de nuestros arreglos tengan una calidad del más alto nivel, para no traicionar asà nuestra música. Al público internacional le encanta la música española y es muy importante poder seguir dándola a conocer.
¿Cuál es la grabación favorita de SB, y por qué?
Esto es como los hijos…, todos son favoritos y buenos…; quizás podrÃamos hablar del último… Este año cumplimos 25 años y con esta grabación lo hemos querido celebrar, volviendo en cierta manera a los inicios del grupo, dando gran importancia al repertorio original para quinteto de metales.
¿En su opinión, cuáles son algunos de los mejores músicos del mundo hoy?
en la trompeta.– Wynton Marsalis
trompa.– Bruno Schneider
trombón.– Michel Becquet
tuba.-Ufff…
bombardino barÃtono.– Steven Mead
trombón bajo.– Stephen Schulz, Brand Attema… hay muchos…
c. 2014 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com
Interested in more “FIVE” tm interviews?
Canadian Brass 2014, Windsync 2014, Boston Brass 2015, Mnozil Brass 2015, Spanish Brass 2014, Dallas Brass 2014, Seraph 2014, Atlantic Brass Quintet 2015, Mirari Brass 2015, Axiom Brass 2015, Scott Hartmann of the Empire Brass 2015, Jeffrey Curnow of the Empire Brass 2015, Ron Barron and Ken Amis of the Empire Brass, Meridian Arts Ensemble 2015, Berlin Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet 2015, American Brass Quintet 2015
Images courtesy of THE SPANISH BRASS
We would like to express our gratitutde for the English translations of the Spanish Brass Responses which were made with the primary assistance of Michael Nunez.
The Spanish translations of the questions were contributed anonymously.
Spanish Brass Quintet Interview, Spanish Brass Luur Metalls Interview, Brass Quintet Interview