Christmas with Septura Septura

• Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672): Geistliche Chormusik, Op. 11, SWV 369-397:
• 1No. 17. Das Wort ward Fleisch, SWV 385 (arr. S. Cox for brass septet)03:12
• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Part I:
• 2 Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)01:08
• Ich freue mich in dir, BWV 133:
• 3Ich freue mich in dir (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)04:10
• Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet):
• 4Part I: Wie soll ich dich empfangen01:27
• 5Part VI: Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen03:08
• Harold Darke (1888-1976):
• 6In the Bleak Midwinter (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)05:02
• Michael Praetorius (1571-1621):
• 7Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (arr. S. Cox for brass septet)02:33
• Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): 11 Chorale Preludes, Op. 122: No. 8.:
• 8Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (arr. S. Cox for brass septet)02:13
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): The Crown of Roses, Op. 54, No. 5.:
• 9Legend (arr. S. Cox for brass septet)02:32
• Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych (1877-1921):
• 10Shchedryk (Epiphany Carol), "Carol of the Bells" (arr. S. Cox for 3 trumpets and valve trombone)01:17
• Peter Warlock (1894-1930):
• 11Capriol Suite: V. Pied-en-l'air (adap. A. Carter as Lullaby my Jesus) (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)02:38
• 12Benedicamus Domino (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)01:15
• 13Bethlehem Down (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)03:52
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594): Motettorum, Book 2: Motets for 5-8 Voices, Book 2 for 5, 6 and 8 Voices:
• 14Canite tuba (arr. S. Cox for 3 trumpets and 2 trombones)02:12
• Robert Parsons (c.1535-1571/2):
• 15Ave Maria (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)04:37
• Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943): All-night Vigil, Op. 37 "Vespers" (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet):
• 16Bogoroditse Devo (Rejoice, O Virgin)02:49
• 17Slava v vïshnikh Bogu (Glory to God in the Highest)02:18
• Peter Cornelius (1824-1874):
• 18Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8: No. 3. Die Konige (The 3 Kings) (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)02:33
• Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759): Messiah, HWV 56 (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet): Part III:
• 19The Trumpet Shall Sound04:04
• 20Worthy is the Lamb03:30
• 21Amen Chorus03:24
• Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863):
• 22Stille Nacht (arr. M. Knight for brass septet)03:08
• Total Runtime01:03:02

Info for Christmas with Septura

Brass instruments are almost a Christmas cliché: synonymous with the celebration, but perhaps not with the wealth of great music that it has inspired. Septura sets out to rectify this, re-imagining for brass septet the Christmas offerings of the greatest composers of the past 450 years. Pushing the combinations and colours of the septet to the limits, the result is a virtuosic and varied selection of festive favourites.

It would be inconceivable to record a disc of the great music inspired by Christmas without making reference to Johann Sebastian Bach. We have created a little suite of two pieces, bound together (as Bach himself did in oratorios and cantatas) by two chorales. This is the triumphant climax of the final part of the Christmas Oratorio, and the virtuosic solo is played on a piccolo trumpet by Alan Thomas, as the chorus celebrate the failure of Herod’s plan.

Alan Thomas, trumpet
Huw Morgan, trumpet
Simon Cox, trumpet
Matthew Gee, trombone
Matthew Knight, trombone
Dan West, trombone
Sasha Koushk-Jalali, tuba

Septura
brings together London’s leading players to redefine brass chamber music through the uniquely expressive sound of the brass septet.

By creating a canon of transcriptions, arrangements and new commissions for this brand new classical configuration, Septura aims to re-cast the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium. Currently Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music, London, the group is recording a series of 10 discs for Naxos Records, each focused on a particular period, genre and set of composers, creating a ‘counter-factual history’ of brass chamber music.

The first two discs in the series are available now, described respectively as “an uplifting debut from a magnificent seven” (Fiona Maddocks), and “the most interesting, innovative and perfectly played disc of brass ensemble music I have ever encountered” (David Denton). The third will be released in December 2015, and the fourth will be recorded in May 2015.

Weaving this ever-increasing repertoire into captivating live events, Septura is gaining a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and imaginative programming, built around strong concepts and themes.

Septura’s members are the leading players of the new generation of British brass musicians, holding principal positions in the London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, Basel Symphony and Aurora orchestras.

Booklet for Christmas with Septura