Apex, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet (CD)

Apex features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet in Tokyo in 2023, showcasing five key players from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The program highlights core brass quintet repertoire and arrangements that emphasize virtuosity, precision and ensemble clarity.

Long regarded as one of the defining orchestral brass sounds, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s brass section is known for its brilliance, power and unmistakable tonal focus. In this chamber setting, that tradition is heard with added transparency, balancing bold fanfare writing with moments of lyricism and color. Recorded in Kioi Hall, Tokyo, Apex offers a compelling snapshot of the CSO brass tradition in an intimate, high-precision format.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet
Esteban Batallán trumpet
John Hagstrom trumpet
David Griffin horn
Michael Mulcahy trombone
Gene Pokorny tuba

Reynolds Suite for Brass Quintet, "March"
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Bach (arr. Mills) Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major, BWV 564
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Irvine Morning Song
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Shostakovich (arr. Sipe) String Quartet No. 3 in F Major, Op. 73, "Allegro non troppo"
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Verdi (arr. Pierobon) Nabucco, Overture
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Likhuta Apex Predators
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Crespo Suite Americana No. 1
October 2023, Kioi Hall, Tokyo

Discs: 1
Record Label: MClassics
Release Date: March 27, 2026