I had the awesome pleasure recently to make an audio and video recording of a large brass ensemble dedicated to honoring a fantastic conductor, mentor, and friend, named Larry Rachleff. Larry has touched so many young musicians’ lives with his conducting, his love of music, his ever demanding standards, and his everlasting support. Larry has had some health issues this year making life difficult, and these wonderful musicians saw fit to honor him in the best way they knew how! The group consisted solely of graduates of Rice University, people who have studied and played for Mr. Rachleff at Rice, and was a who’s who of DC-area musicians. Players from the National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony,, U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own), U.S. Navy Band, U.S. Air Force Band, U.S. Coast Guard Band, U.S. Naval Academy Band, and the U.S. Marine Band (The President’s Own) all convened in Alexandria, Virginia to record two works: Percy Granger’s “Horkstow Grange” from Lincolnshire Posy (arr. Tim Higgins), and “The Gathering of the Armies on the River Scheldt” by Richard Wagner. The conductor was Jerry Hou, direct from his current staff position at Rice University. All I can say is, WOW. The first time (and every time) they lit into the River Scheldt from Lohengrin, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It is quite a testament to Rice University that there are so many fine brass players in the DC area alone! Just amazing! Enjoy the video!
Personnel is listed at the end of the video.
