Tone-stuffs

The Melbourne Brass Ensemble presents a varied brass-quintet programme of Australian works alongside Renaissance and Baroque arrangements. The playing is dynamic and accurate, with a full sound and a true-to-life concert-hall acoustic.

Melbourne Brass Ensemble ensemble
Geoffrey Payne trumpet
David Farrands trumpet
Graeme Denniss french horn
Kenneth McClimont trombone
Eric Klay bass trombone

David Stanhope composer
Paul Sarcich composer
Percy Grainger composer
Barry McKimm composer
Robert Sims composer
Tylman Susato composer
Matthew Locke composer
Malcolm Forsythe composer
I. Rosenthal arranger
Peter De Visser arranger
David Stanhope arranger

Recorded at the Melbourne Concert Hall (now Hamer Hall), the disc takes in Percy Grainger’s Tone-stuffs for brass five-some, Paul Sarcich’s set of five Aboriginal songs from the Maranoa district, a fanfare by Robert Sims, and substantial quintets by David Stanhope and Barry McKimm, with further Renaissance and ceremonial brass pieces.

Unlike the usual quintet with tuba, the group uses Eric Klay’s bass trombone for a rich foundation. Geoffrey Payne, one of its two trumpeters, won first prize at the 1984 Budapest International Music Competition. The ensemble was already known for adapting across a wide repertoire with professional polish.

Reviews

For avid trombonists, the performance of Kenneth McClimont and Eric Klay is a sufficient reason to add this recording to your collection. It is also an excellent opportunity to expose yourself to some fine contemporary compositions from Australia. Furthermore, any admirer of brass quintets will appreciate and enjoy the ensemble work offered here. The Melbourne Brass Ensemble is not the typical quintet in that a bass trombone is used in place of a tuba. One does not miss the tuba, as Eric Klay plays with a big, full sound and provides a solid foundation for the ensemble. Kenneth McClimont stands out as a lyric tenor trombonist with much musical taste. The timing, intonation, and cohesion of the ensemble maintain professional standards throughout each work. Each member displays virtuosity and total command of his instrument. All brass players, particularly trombonists, should look forward to more recordings by the Melbourne Brass Ensemble.

— James McKinney, ITA Journal

The playing is dynamic and accurate. The sound is full and the acoustic of the recording is very true to life

— Australian Trombone Education Magazine

One of the best I've heard in this genre. The Grainger is an absolute delight

— American Horn Call

…an impressive combination, in five works of varying taste and vintage

— Australian Jewish News

Artist

Melbourne Brass Ensemble

Formed In 1979, the Melbourne Brass Ensemble has established itself as one of Australia’s leading chamber music exponents, regularly performing for such organisations as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Musica Viva, and Music in the Round. The Ensemble has made it a policy to commission Australian compositions to add new dimension to its repertoire.

Audio previews

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Tracks

Waltzing Matilda Arr: Peter De Visser 3:13

Quintet No. 3 David Stanhope

Song without words 1 4:01
Song without words 2 5:52
Palindrome 3:06
Maranoa Songs Paul Sarcich 9:04
Fanfare Robert Sims 1:18

Tone-stuffs for Brass Fivesome Percy Grainger Arr: David Stanhope

Arrival platform humlet 2:38
There was a pig went out to dig 1:49
Peace 2:59
Shepherd’s hey 1:59

Quintet for brass Barry McKimm

first movement 6:58
second movement 4:13
third movement 4:19
Five dances from the Danserye Tylman Susato 8:02
Three Renaissance Madrigals Arr: I. Rosenthal 7:17
Musicke for His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts Matthew Locke 6:25
Golyardes Grounde Malcolm Forsythe 3:06

Performers

Composers

Percy Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882–1961) was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. A brilliant folk-song collector and arranger, he was also a restless experimenter whose work ranged from tuneful percussion to Free Music machines that foreshadowed electronic synthesis.

Paul Sarcich

Paul Sarcich is a New Zealand-born composer and percussionist whose music is marked by rhythmic drive, dramatic flair and a practical ear for what performers need.

Peter De Visser

Peter De Visser is an arranger whose work appears on Australian brass recordings.

Malcolm Forsythe

Matthew Locke

Barry McKimm

I. Rosenthal

Robert Sims

David Stanhope

David Stanhope is an Australian conductor, composer and pianist whose career also takes in horn and bass trombone. He has led opera, ballet, film scores and orchestras across Australia, and is widely known for his wind-band and brass writing.

Tylman Susato

Contributors

Photographs

Ron Layton

Where to listen

Tone-stuffs is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Tone-stuffs is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.

Product details

Catalogue number: MD 3056
List price: $25.00 AUD
Total playing time: 76 minutes 19 seconds
Recording Engineer: Martin Wright
Venue: Melbourne Concert Hall
Credit: Ron Layton
Release date: 1985
Categories: Australian, Classical
Genres: Contemporary Classical, Early Music
Barcode: EAN 9314574305623

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