Septura - Music for Brass Septet, Vol. 6 (2018)

Septura head homeward with a recording of British music from the first half of the twentieth century- a golden age in England’s otherwise checkered compositional history, and a period in which brass instruments, in the form of the brass band, established their place at the very heart of British musical culture. From the many composers of the period whose music endures we have chosen four of the finest: iconic works by Elgar, Parry, Finzi and Walton, reimagined for the unique sound of the brass septet. 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 recast the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium. Currently ensemble-in-residence at the Royal Academy of Music in London, the group is recording a series of albums for Naxos, each focused on a particular period, genre and set of composers, creating a ‘counter-factual history’ of brass chamber music.

Tracklist:
Gerald Finzi (1901 - 1956): 3 Anthems, Op. 27:
01. 3 Anthems, Op. 27: No. 2, God Is Gone Up (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet)

Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934): Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20 (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet):
02. Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20 (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): I. Allegro piacevole
03. Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20 (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): II. Larghetto
04. Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20 (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): III. Allegretto

Gerald Finzi (1901 - 1956):
05. Prelude in F Minor, Op. 25 (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet)

Hubert Parry (1848 - 1918): Songs of Farewell (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet):
06. Songs of Farewell (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): No. 1, My Soul, There Is a Country
07. Songs of Farewell (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): No. 2, I Know My Soul Hath Power to Know All Things
08. Songs of Farewell (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): No. 3, Never Weather-Beaten Sail
09. Songs of Farewell (Arr. M. Knight for Brass Septet): No. 4, There Is an Old Belief

Gerald Finzi (1901 - 1956):
10. Romance in E-Flat Major, Op. 11 (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet)

William Walton (1902 - 1983): Sonata for Strings (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet):
11. Sonata for Strings (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet): I. Allegro
12. Sonata for Strings (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet): II. Presto
13. Sonata for Strings (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet): III. Lento
14. Sonata for Strings (Arr. S. Cox for Brass Septet): IV. Allegro molto