BerliozHistoricalBrass.org
Title
Berlioz Historical Brass
Description
Berlioz Historical Brass dedicates itself to the exploration and presentation of early 19th century brass instruments. The inspiration for the ensemble stems from a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance of Hector Berlioz's Messe solennelle. Maestro Seiji Ozawa set a precedent by including a period instrument in the orchestra—the serpent played by Douglas Yeo—thus demonstrating that the modern symphony could provide a venue to inform audiences of these unique brass instruments.
Berlioz Historical Brass musicians perform in renowned modern and period orchestras, direct celebrated instrumental ensembles, and serve as editors, columnists, and authors of historical brass publications. All of the ensemble's instruments—keyed bugle, trumpet, natural horn, trombone and buccin, ophicleide, serpent, Russian bassoon, cimbasso, and bass horn—were used during Berlioz's time and most appear in his Grande traite d'instrumentation.
Berlioz Historical Brass is available for performances with choral ensembles, orchestras, and symphonic bands. Pre-concert lecture-demonstrations and/or workshops are encouraged. The ensemble, typically comprised of three-to-five musicians who are selected according to the particular requirements of each engagement, also offers chamber music recitals of brass repertoire of the 18th-20th centuries.
