Rolf’s tone, technique & phrasing were remarkable. And yet there’s component missing. Call it spirituality, romance, humility, gratitude. I don’t know. But his determination to win at all costs prevents him from making a connection with the listener in a way that, say, a Charlier etude of Håkan can.
There’s a fascinating YT post with Empire playing an open rehearsal at Tanglewood in 88 or 89. It was filmed very nicely on a camcorder by Jon Dante (actually by his mom!)
When I was a high school student in Sendai, Japan, they came in our prefecture to have a concert. Before starting their live, Rolf and Sam, and all the members taught and answers on playing brass instruments! Everybody were so kind, especially Rolf was excessively so kind to tell me how to make beautiful sound and making high notes! Like a sunshine! The lady of Macarena was my favorite!
Sam is crazy good. Man. Brass at absolute perfection. How few people really know how hard that tuba part is. A chop buster. And to keep that air coming without losing tempo or passing out.
esto una joya de video para la historia , en mis inicios tocando trompeta un amigo me obsequio una grabación de los conciertos del empire brass en Venezuela, son estos mismos videos. su música marco mi vida , es bueno verlos en video ,gracias por compartir
Let me admit how much better it sounded at the Lincoln Theater at Hartford University. They have a real good music school there, but I was just attending the music camp.
