North Carolina-based da Capo Brass has produced an outstanding introductory recording effort in its recent album FROM THE BEGINNING. Consisting mostly or newer and less familiar works for brass quintet…the recording makes for an hour of delightful listening, both for the new works included as well as the fine playing.

The first piece, the Quintet by Rolf Wilhelm, is typical of that composer’s work” tonal, accessible, and delightful. It provides a moderate amount of technical challenge for a professional ensemble, while remaining very audience-friendly, Ronald Romm’s version of J. S. Bach “Lettle” Fugue is well-known to those familiar with the Canadian Brass and its catalog of arrangements, and is admirably executed here.

The North Carolina-based quintet Da Capo Brass offers a varied program that opens with Rolf Wilhelm’s Quintet…a four-movement, eight-minute piece with three light, entertaining movements and one somber one. The arrangement is interesting…Kevin Paul’s ‘Appalachian Hymnsong’ is mellow and lyrical. Da Capo is a very competent group with excellent ensemble and intonation. © 2012 American Record Guide Read complete review on American Record Guide online