Canadian Brass - FEATURE STORY

Celebrations in Warsaw

By Ulla Colgrass, 2000

The picture shows: Ron Romm; Chris Cooper; Ambassador Serge April; Madame Aline Chretien; Krzesimir Debski; Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada; Chuck Daellenbach; Madame Suzanne April; Jens Lindemann, Gene Watts

The Canadian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, recently threw a big party for the Canadian Brass to celebrate a CD the group made with the prestigious Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under most unusual circumstances.

The Canadian Brass had come to Warsaw in January to give one of their spirited concerts in the National Philharmonic Hall, when they were highjacked by the Canadian Embassy to add culture to a Team Canada delegation, headed by Canada's prime minister Jean Chretien.

With a few hours notice, the Warsaw Philharmonic (under conductor Krzesimir Debski) was pulled into the program to make it a Polish-Canadian event. The concert was a huge success. It was broadcast simultaneously to an estimated 5 million Poles and a CD was cut.

The new CD takes its title from "Celebration", a new work that the Canadian Brass commissioned from American composer Lukas Foss. The disc also has a lively mix of jazz classics by Duke Ellington and Fats Waller arranged by Luther Henderson, as well as "Tribute to Lennon and McCartney." The encore of this live concert is of course included -- "Hallelujah -- When the Saints Come Marching In."

The Canadian Ambassador to Poland, Serge April, launched the CD with a party in Warsaw for members of the Philharmonic, radio stations, music critics and other media along with representatives from the Ministry of Culture.

Unfortunately the guests of honor could only attend the party via telephone because they were busy in Toronto. That leaves the new "Celebration" CD to tell this musical tale.

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