The Stockholm Chamber Brass
The brass quintet Stockholm Chamber Brass consists of some of Scandinavia's leading brassplayers.
Since the start in 1985 the ensemble has been working to develope the dimensions of brass chamber music. Through arranging music from
rennaisance to 20-century and through close cooperation with a number of leading composers the Stockholm Chamber Brass is constantly trying to
enlarge their repertoire.
The international breakthrough came at the International competition for brass quintets in Narbonne, France in 1988 where the Stockholm Chamber
Brass recieved 1st prize. Since then the Stockholm Chamber Brass has toured frequently and has
visited a number of major festivals etc, such as the Prague Spring Festival, Festival Mitte Europa, Bad Kissinger Sommer.
In 2003 the Stockholm Chamber Brass are perofrming in Sweden, Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Germany and Australia.
The Stockholm Chamber Brass has recieved outstanding reviews worldwide for their recordings, The American Record Guide writes " I cannot imagine that
a better brass quintet has ever existed".
The members of the Stockholm Chamber Brass:
Urban Agnas, trumpet, was born in Leksand, Sweden in 1961.
After studies at the Ingesund Conservatory of Music he played principal trumpet with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
and later with the Royal Stockholm Philarmonic Orchestra. Urban Agnas has been prize winner at the ARD-Wettbewerb in Munich 1986
and at the international trumpet competition in Toulon 1987. Since 2000 he is Professor for Trumpet at the Hochschule für Musik in
Cologne, Germany.
Tora Thorslund, trumpet was born in Stockholm 1974.
She studied at the Royal Academy of music in Stockholm and recived post-graduate solo diploma in 1999.
Since 1996 she has played principal trumpet with the Royal Opera Orchestra in Stockhom.
Tora Thorslund was prize winner at the international trumpet competitions in Markneukirchen 1998 and in Porcia 1999.
Jonas Bylund, trombone, was born in Gävle, Sweden in 1963.
After studies at the Academy of Music in Stockholm he played principal trombone with the Oslo Philarmonic Orchestra, and later with the Royal
Stockholm Philarmonic Orchestra and the Bamberger Symphoniker. In 1988 he won 1st prize at the "Concours International d'Execution
Musicale" in Geneva, and the following year he also won the ARD-Wettbewerb in Munich.
Since 1995 Jonas Bylund is Professor for Trombone at the Academy of Music in Hannover, Germany.
Jens Bjørn-Larsen, tuba, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1965.
He has recieved a number of national and international awards. In 1991 he won 1st prize at the "Concours International d'Execution
Musicale" in Geneva, an event which marked the start of a magnificent solo
career. Since 1987 he has played principal tuba with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He is also Professor at the Academy of Music in Hannover,
Germany.
Markus Maskuniitty, french horn, was born in Rauma, Finland in 1967.
After studies at the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki he played principal french horn with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Since 1994 he has played principal horn with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
Markus Maskuniitty was chosen "Brassplayer of the year" 1992 in Finland. He was prize winner at the International Horncompetition in
Markneukirchen in 1991, and in ARD-Wettbewerb in Munich 1994. Markus Maskuniitty is Professor for horn at the Hochschule für Musik in
Hannover, Germany.
Press:
"Stockholm Chamber Brass is the best brass quintet I´ve ever heard. The players seem like a perfectly matched set, with superb technical skills,
great big sounds and the willingness to let self dissapear into group."
-American record guide (Heavy Metal)-
"I cannot imagine that a better Brassquintet has ever existed"
-American record guide (Clockworks)-
"Stockholm Chamber Brass shows a new direction for brass chamber music. A dream group."
-Brass Bulletin-
"As you may have noticed, I've said more about the music itself than the performances. That's because the SCB is such an awesomely
talented and accomplished group. Not only their technique, but all aspects of their ensemble playing make these extremely difficult modern works
sound effortless, thus directing your attention to their quality and expressiveness rather than their uncompromising modernity.
It's also a worthwhile reminder of how much mileage there still is in "conventional" musical instruments, especially when used as
unconventionally and imaginatively as here. A superb issue, and I'll be looking out keenly for the group's next
venture."
-Classical Music Web (The CD "NOW" was chosen "CD of the month forThe brassquintet Stockholm Chamber Brass consists of some of Scandinavia's leading brassplayers.
Concert program Aug 5 2003:
Joakim Agnas - Tango
John Dowland - Suite (arr J Agnas)
Christian Lindberg - Condor Canyon (Soloist C. Lindberg)
Jukka Linkolla - Brass Quintet No 2