Canadian Brass/Dec 23, 8 PM/RTH

THE CANADIAN BRASS

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 8 PM / Roy Thomson Hall

$59.50 - $29.50 - Call 416-872-4255 or online at www.roythomson.com

or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

The Canadian Brass is back, in what’Äôs become an annual holiday favourite. This concert promises festive favourites, fine new repertoire, and mischievous hijinks, so characteristic of the Brass, with special guest Eric Robertson, Juno Award-winning organist.

You’Äôd expect any artist with a career approaching its fourth decade to spend more time looking back than forward. Not so for the members of Canadian Brass. This pioneering quintet certainly has no shortage of past glories upon which to reflect, but they are far, far too busy for that. Now in its 38^th year, the group has always followed its heart, performing and recording the music it loves, regardless of its genre of origin. Whether rooted in classical, opera, jazz, or pop, they tackle their chosen compositions with a potent combination of enthusiasm and technical virtuosity. The current lineup of Canadian Brass comprises Chuck Daellenbach, Gene Watts, French horn player Jeff Nelsen, and trumpeters Joe Burgstaller and Brandon Ridenour.

Their rare ability to both entertain and educate with their music dates right back to their earliest days. Chuck and Gene had met in Toronto, and took their newly formed Canadian Brass to the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra where they became artists-in-residence in 1971, and the players remained members of the orchestra until 1977. Their early performances were primarily for schoolchildren, and it was in front of this tough audience that the group honed their skills as entertainers. From there, their career took off at a rapid rate.

As well as entertaining millions of music lovers around the globe with their recordings and concerts, Canadian Brass has performed an invaluable educational service. Their work has radically redefined the place of brass within classical music, and their example has inspired literally millions of young players. By the end of that decade, Canadian Brass had toured China, the first Western ensemble to tour China after the ’Äúsmashing of the Gang of Four’Äù, headlined Carnegie Hall in triumphant fashion, and toured Europe extensively, proving both the commercial and artistic viability of the Canadian Brass concept.

There has been no stopping Canadian Brass ever since, and a full list of career highlights, accolades and awards is simply too lengthy to repeat. Any single year out of the career of the Brass would read like the entire career of most performers. Canadian Brass’Äô continued open-mindedness in both a musical and business sense will stand them in good stead. They’Äôre as passionate about making music and entertaining audiences as ever, and their future looks bright. Look for the sound of Canadian Brass to ring clear, loud and proud for many years to come.

Sponsored by LEXUS.

THE CANADIAN BRASS

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 8 pm

Roy Thomson Hall , 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

Tickets $59.50 $29.50- Call 416-872-4255 or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

www.roythomson.com