The Uptown Brass Quintet consists of the principal brass players from the Minnesota Orchestra (according to writer/critic Alex Ross as "the greatest orchestra in the world.") This particular ensemble of musicians have been playing over a decade together, and you'll hear it in their comradery and especially in their music making. Typically the group presents community concerts and educational outreach around Minnesota and whereever the orchestra is touring. But since last October, these musicians have been locked out of work.
Pop music is (usually) in English and is easy to understand, but Classical works are often in another language, and even when they are in English the operatic vibrato clouds the message.
Absolute music like a symphony or sonata has no words, but sometimes the work has a helpful title.
We've been presenting Beethoven's piano sonatas in order weekday mornings and one sonata that is very important in understanding the composer is being broadcast April 10 in the 6 a.m. hour.
