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The OSU Allied Arts is sponsoring An Evening With the Spanish Brass at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Seretean Center for Performing Arts.
The Spanish Brass, also knows as Luur Metalls, is a brass quintet that is touring in Europe and has performed in countries all over the world since 1989.
“That’s the reason we decided to bring them in,” Special Events Coordinator Joe Ray said. “They’re the very best in the world.”
But the task of bringing them in wasn’t so easy; Ray has been trying for more than two years to bring these performers to OSU. Ray had multiple conversations with the quintet’s U.S. representative, Lisa Sapinkopf, in hopes they could work out a deal, and bring the group here.
The band plays a mixture of classical, pop, Latin, Baroque, Spanish, and traditional music. Some of the best contemporary composers in the world have written pieces specifically for the band.
“The thing that’s going to be unique about this group is they’re going to be playing music by Spanish composers, especially contemporary Spanish composers,” Ray said.
Ray said the Spanish Brass is also known for its animated playing style that is similar to a style the Canadian Brass Co. used while performing in the 1980s. They also have a microphone on stage so they can interact with the audience.
“They’ll almost act out a little drama as if they’re speaking to each other as they each come in and play their part on a speech,” Ray said.
According to the quintet’s Web site, it’s these kinds of performances that drew rave reviews for the group after it played at conferences for the International Trumpet Guild, the International Trombone Association and the International Horn Association. The band members also created a stir when they performed at the New York Brass Conference in 1997 and 1999.
“Playing for professionals like that is the toughest audience you will ever have,” Ray said. “That’s your toughest critic.”
According to the band’s Web site, it will play three more shows in America before returning to Spain later this month.
Jonathan Martin, professor of trumpet and director of jazz studies, will present The Inside Story lecture at 7 on the night of the concert in the Seretean Center, Room 123. The lecture is free and open to the public.
“I am very excited to have the Spanish Brass at OSU,” Martin said. “I think the performance will be diverse and entertaining for everyone.”
Tickets for the performance are $8 for students and children under 12 years old, and $15 for everyone else. Tickets are available at the Student Union Hub.
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