Annapolis Brass Quintet Releases “New” Live and Broadcast Performance Recordings

Founded in 1971, the Annapolis Brass Quintet became the first full-time brass ensemble in the United States. For the next 22 years, ABQ embarked on a journey that included performances, recordings, and masterclasses that left a global mark on musicians and audiences. In addition to recording 16 full-length albums, ABQ was able to premiere 75 works for brass quintet. After playing their final concert in 1993, ABQ collected a wealth of sheet music, programs, and other resources that would eventually be given to the library at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Now, ABQ has unearthed many live and broadcast performances that were not originally released on their albums. From now until June 2020, ABQ will be adding these recordings to its website brassquintetforum.com. These recordings go as far back as 1975 and have been digitized for the Special Collections at Oberlin College Conservatory Library.

Here is a snippet of what has been published so far on their website.

Selections from ABQ’s Farewell Concert on April 25, 1993

Anniversary Fanfare by Keith Snell
Invitation to the Sideshow by Douglas Allanbrook
Symphony for Brass by Michael Brown
Canonic Fanfare by George Heussenstamm
Dance by Wilke Renwick
“Five Dances” from Terpsichore by Michael Praetorius
“Interlude” from Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Elam Sprenkle

Kennedy Center Performance on March 23, 1983
Annapolis Suite with Heidi Lehwalder (Harp) by Robert Starer

Click here for more information about this remarkable project.

Photo Credit
(L to R: David Cran, Arthur Labar, Robert Posten, Tim Beck, and Robert Suggs at Suisse Romande Radio in 1976)