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Bethena
Bethena ThumbnailBethena Thumbnail

Scott Joplin arr Eric Crees

Bethena

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  • Product Details
  • Composer Biog
  • Instrumentation

Instrument: Tentet
Grade: conservatoire
Catalogue No: EC018
ISMN No: 9790570661466

Although rarely considered as a waltz composer, in 1905 Joplin clearly thought that Bethena was substantial enough to be subtitled A Concert Waltz. And so it is. Its elegant but gently swinging opening theme frames the other three contrasting sections with their far-flung keys. The connecting bridge passages contain some of his most audacious harmonies, demonstrating that not only is a serious and versatile composer at work, but one who can transcend in triple-time the duple-time rags for which he was better known.

This arrangement was specially made for the album 'Preludes, Rags and Cakewalks' (MPR 005), performed by The Symphonic Brass of London conducted by Eric Crees. All of the transcriptions are new and original, making this a world premiere recording.

‘Super playing from living legends of the London orchestral brass scene. In these fantastic arrangements it’s sometimes hard to believe these pieces weren’t originally scored for brass. The musicianship throughout is second to none and the sound is an absolute treat.
Eric Crees pays his affectionate respects in performances subtly styled, coloured and paced - from the touchingly restrained to the joyfully raucous. Musical authenticity permeates through, understated yet valued in placement and precision. It is a fabulous exploration that deserves the richest of accolades on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.’
Iwan Fox - 4 Bars Rest - Verdict *****
Eric Crees
Eric Crees is one of the most distinguished trombonists, arrangers and educators in the UK. He was Co-Principal Trombone in the London Symphony Orchestra for twenty-seven years and from 2000 until 2020 was Section Principal Trombone with the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has played on many of the most iconic film tracks, including the first four 'Star Wars', 'Superman' 1&2, 'Harry Potter' 1,2&3, 'Braveheart', 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and dozens more.

Eric has taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London since 1977 and in 2014 was awarded two prestigious honours, Conferment to Professor at the Guildhall and the International Trombone Association's Neil Humfeld Award for Teaching Excellence. He is internationally recognised as a conductor and arranger of brass music at the highest level and has been the Musical Director of London Symphony Orchestra Brass and the Brass Soloists of the Royal Opera House and made seven CDs with them, mainly of his own compositions, arrangements and editions. He is now Artistic Director of his own group, The Symphonic Brass of London and has released two albums with them, 'A Bridge across the Pyrenees' and 'Preludes, Rags and Cakewalks'.


For more information see the two websites: ericcrees.co.uk
thesymphonicbrassoflondon.com
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